(1835–99), New Zealand politician and businessman, born in London, England; achieved prominence and power through bold scheme of large-scale public works to build New Zealand's transportation and communications networks; immigrated first to Australia, made fortune in Victoria gold mines, newspaper publishing; moved to Otago, New Zealand, and cofounded colony's first daily newspaper 1861; elected to Parliament 1863; opposition leader 1865–68; prime minister 1873–75, 1876; knighted 1875; agent-general for the colony in England 1876–80; returned to New Zealand, leader of Stout administration 1884–87; resigned from Parliament 1889; novel ‘Anno Domini 2000: Or, Woman's Destiny' (1889).