| Election Name: | 1856 Christchurch Country by-election |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Flag Year: | 1856 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1855 New Zealand general election |
| Previous Year: | 1855 general |
| Next Election: | 1860–1861 New Zealand general election |
| Next Year: | 1860–61 general |
| Seats For Election: | Christchurch Country |
| Turnout: | 311 |
| Candidate1: | John Ollivier |
| Party1: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 191 |
| Percentage1: | 61.4% |
| Candidate2: | Crosbie Ward |
| Party2: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote2: | 120 |
| Percentage2: | 38.6% |
| MP | |
| Before Election: | Dingley Askham Brittin |
| After Election: | John Ollivier |
| Before Party: | Independent politician |
| After Party: | Independent politician |
The Christchurch Country by-election 1856 was a by-election held in the multi-member electorate during the 2nd New Zealand Parliament, on 14 October 1856, and was, along with the Grey and Bell, the second equal contested by-election in New Zealand political history.
The by-election was caused by the resignation of incumbent MP Dingley Brittin on 7 July 1856.[1]
The election was won by John Ollivier. On nomination day (13 October) Ollivier and Crosbie Ward were nominated, and after a show of hands in favour of Ollivier, Ward demanded a poll. Ollivier was subsequently elected the following day.[2]