The by-election was caused by the resignation of incumbent MP Bill Sullivan of the National Party for personal reasons on 13 February 1957.[1]
Candidates
Labour
Thomas Godfrey Santon, a Taneaua dairy farmer who stood in the Bay of Plenty seat in 1954, was selected to stand in the seat again for the Labour Party.[2][3]
Liberal Federation
Reginald Joseph Pedley stood for the Liberal Federation, a newly created party. The president of the Liberal Federation, James Hill-Motion, stated that the party planned to use the by-election campaign to advertise its policies to New Zealanders. He also pushed back on jibes that his party were "dissenting Social Crediters" instead saying "We are dissenting Nationalists, but we see a danger for the country in socialism." Hill-Motion had been a Social Credit candidate for Manawatu in 1954, but regretted his nomination.[3]
National
There were seven names that went forward for the National Party nomination:[4][5]
Percy Allen, a plastering contractor and National's candidate for Rotorua in 1954
Donald C. Butler, a farmer and Chairman of the Whakatane County Council
A. T. Dillon, a farmer from Te Kuiti
Toby Gambrill, a lawyer from Gisborne
David Norman Perry, secretary of the Tekaha Co-operative Dairy Company and secretary of the New Life Movement in the Presbyterian Church
D. S. Radcliffe, a farmer from Edgecombe
Butler, the chairman of the South Auckland division of the National Party, was initially seen as the likeliest candidate to win the National nomination.[6] On 11 March a selection meeting of about 140 branch delegates in Whakatane was held and chose Allen as the party candidate for the by-election.[7]
Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand parliamentary election results, 1946–1987. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington Department of Political Science. ISBN0-475-11200-8.
Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC154283103.
Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN0-474-00177-6.