| Election Name: | 1954 Patea by-election |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Flag Year: | 1954 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Previous Election: | 1951 New Zealand general election |
| Previous Year: | 1951 general |
| Next Election: | 1954 New Zealand general election |
| Next Year: | 1954 general |
| Turnout: | 7,583 (50.12%) |
| Candidate1: | William Sheat |
| Party1: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 3,648 |
| Percentage1: | 48.11 |
| Candidate2: | Benjamin Winchcombe |
| Party2: | New Zealand Labour Party |
| Popular Vote2: | 3,630 |
| Percentage2: | 47.87 |
| MP | |
| Before Election: | William Sheat |
| Before Party: | New Zealand National Party |
| After Party: | Independent politician |
The 1954 Patea by election was held on 31 July during the 30th New Zealand Parliament, and was caused by the resignation of incumbent National MP, William Sheat.
William Sheat represented the electorate between and 1954 as a National MP, but after a 1953 redistricting much of the Patea seat (including his residence) shifted to the electorate. The seat of had been recreated and the home of the incumbent MP for Egmont, Ernest Corbett, was now situated in Stratford. Sheat did not wish to represent the enlarged, mostly rural, Patea and thought it appropriate that he instead contest Egmont and Corbett contest Stratford. However Corbett was selected again in Egmont instead of Sheat, leading Sheat to accuse the local party electorate organiser of predetermining the candidacy. On 14 May 1954 he resigned his seat with the intention of winning it back at a by-election as an Independent.
The writ for the by-election was originally issued on 3 June, but on 12 June Harry Combs (MP for) died, necessitating a second by-election. The government preferred both by-elections to be held at the same time so in order to postpone the Patea poll the government passed the Patea By-election Act 1954.[1] However, as the Labour candidate in Onslow (Henry May) was unopposed he was declared elected when the writs closed, on 7 July.
Three candidates were nominated for the by-election:
For the most part, both Sheat and Winchcombe had well-attended meetings to make addresses, though Duggan had difficulty inspiring interest in his ideas about the principles of Liberalism his campaign was centred on.[6]
Despite breaking with National's party organisation, Sheat found himself still defending his former party's interests, albeit without any official backing. Other than restating his reasons for resigning and triggering the by-election, the rest of his speeches were defending the Government against Labour's criticisms (particularly with regards to financial policy). He still rallied many staunch local National supporters to support him, and was supported by small party committees and the central committee in Hāwera to assist with the organisation of his campaign.[6]
Winchcombe was supported by some of Labour's most prominent MPs who spoke in his support at public meetings. Party leader Walter Nash spoke at his campaign launch meeting at Hāwera and his final meeting on at Wanganui. Party president Arnold Nordmeyer spoke at a meeting at Waverley early in the campaign, deputy leader Jerry Skinner spent a whole weekend in the electorate and spoke at a meeting in Patea, Ethel McMillan spoke at two meetings in Hāwera and Mick Moohan spoke at Patea. Labour's campaign speakers used the by-election criticising the Government, particularly on financial grounds, which had been a common area of criticism throughout the parliamentary session.[6]
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The final vote count included 436 special votes, which were not included in the election-night results. Sheat's majority of 24 on election night was only 18 after the final count.
Sheat subsequently did not stand in the 1954 general election but was returned to Parliament in the as the MP for and he retired at the .