NZ Marriages (Bride)
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NZ Marriages (Bride, married surname)
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NZ Births (Mother)
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Nelson Photo News (1960-1972)
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Gisborne Photo News (1954-1975, 1993–1996)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://photonews.org.nz/gisborne/search/results?type=section&text=%22John+Ollivier%22
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Tributes Online (obituaries)
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Whanganui Council Property Rolls
Ollivier, John 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://wdc.whanganui.govt.nz/propertyrolls/data.aspx?id=search
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NZ Presbyterian Marriages
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Shadows of Time
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.367 seconds
Source: Shadows of Time / Copyright Wendy Leahy
Victoria B.A.1962 . OLLIVIER John Maxwell Morton . DipBank 1945 . OLPHERT Derek Atholl Auckland DipFA 1953 . OLPHERT Jaspar Whaley Auckland M.A. 1921 1st Class Honours OLPHERT
shadowsoftime.co.nz/university18.html
Early Mayors of NZ: 1862-1931
S 1863-1865 OLLIVIER John 1907 PAYLING George 1892 PRUDHOE W 1900 REECE W 1901 RHODES A E G 1882-1883 RUDDENKLAU J G 1872 SAWTELL H 1931 SULLIVAN D G 1911 May-June TAYLOR T E 1919
shadowsoftime.co.nz/mayors.html
Otago Nominal Index
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.445 seconds
Source: Hocken Collections
| Surname | Forename | Address | Event Place | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLLIVIER | John | Canterbury | Otago | 19 Feb 1864 |
Sooty NZ (NZ history and genealogical information)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.362 seconds
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NZ Births
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Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Family Name | Given Name(s) | Mother's Given Name(s) | Father's Given Name(s) | Still Birth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913/960 | Ollivier | John Maxwell Morton | Hilda | Keith Morton | - | Order Product |
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://api.aucklandmuseum.com/search/cenotaph/_search
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Transcriptions NZ
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.386 seconds
Source: Transcriptions NZ / courtesy of Beverley Evans
Obituary - 004 & 005 OLLIVIER - John, an early Canterbury ... doing fine Funeral - 021 OLLIVIER - John, will leave his res ... Service - 026 & 027 OLLIVIER - John, 50 carriages -- at
https://www.transcriptions.nz/1870-1908/1893.August.Lytt.Times.snippets.html
1893.August.Lytt.Times.BMD.
August 1893 Deaths - 001 OLLIVIER - John, on 31 July at Bolton House, Ferry ... Stanmore rd, this day for the Public Cemetery. OLLIVIER - John, leave his res. Bolton House, Ferry rd, on
https://www.transcriptions.nz/1870-1908/1893.August.Lytt.Times.BMD..html
1893.September.Lytt.Times.snippets
Clearing Sale - 088 OLLIVIER - John, at res. of all household furniture and effects. Friday 22 September 1893 Fatality - 090 CLARK - Sarah, age 26, dau. of James Clark, Kaiapoi,
https://www.transcriptions.nz/1870-1908/1893.September.Lytt.Times.snippets.html
1893.August.Star.Christchurch.snippets
Ricketts in the fern close by. The Late Mr John - 009 OLLIVIER - John --- Mr R. Beetham resident magistrate at court --- spoke feelingly of the death --- funeral took place at 1 o
https://www.transcriptions.nz/1870-1908/1893.August.Star.Christchurch.snippets.h...
1892.March.Lytt.Times.snippets
Presentation - 119 OLLIVIER - John, gathering of early colonists to celebrate his 80th birthday -- Ship Tongariro - 120 Afull list of passengers which arrived in Port Chalmers on
https://www.transcriptions.nz/1870-1908/1892.March.Lytt.Times.snippets.html
DigitalNZ
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.249 seconds
Source: DigitalNZ by NZ DIA / Fair Use
| Thumbnail | Article | Description | Author | Source |
| John Ollivier, portrait | Portrait of John Ollivier, who was the Chairman of the Christchurch City Council in 1863. | Canterbury Stories / Christchurch City Libraries | ||
| John Ollivier | Wikipedia / Wikipedia | |||
 |
Macdonald Dictionary Record: John Ollivier | One record, handwritten in ink on rectangular card, with biographical information for John Ollivier. Written by George Ranald Macdonald for the Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biography project, 1952-1964. | George Ranald Macdonald | Canterbury Museum / Canterbury Museum |
| Mr. John Ollivier - The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District] | Mr. John Ollivier was a Member of the House of Representatives in 1858–1859, but he will be better remembered in his connection with the Canterbury Provincial Council, and as one of Canterbury's spirited public men. He was born in 1812, and for about twenty years carried on the business of a publisher in London. On arriving in the colony in 185... | Cyclopedia Company Limited | New Zealand Electronic Text Collection / Victoria University of Wellington | |
| A Commission Appointed - The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 3 (July 1, 1930) | A Commission having been appointed, consisting of Messrs. Bray, Cass, Harman, Whitcombe, and Wylde, together with the Provincial Engineer (Mr. E. Dobson), and the Provincial Secretary (Mr. John Ollivier) to advise the Superintendent in regard to lines of inland communication, the Council recommended that this Commission should also collect maps,... | New Zealand Electronic Text Collection / Victoria University of Wellington | ||
| Inward letters - Surnames, Oak - O'Nei | Correspondents: Honor Oakes, Auckland, 1876 (1 letter); M O'Connor, Shortland, 1867 (1 letter); Charles S Ogg, Wellington, 1874-1876 (4 letters); Edward N O'Hanrahan, Napier, 1867 (1 letter); W H Oldrey, Auckland, 1871 (3 letters); George A Oliver, Doonside, 1863 (1 letter); J Ollivier, Christchurch, 1870 (1 letter); A W O'Neill, Ardlussa, 1875 (1 letter). Quantity: 1 folder(s). | Not specified | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
| Cawkitt, J M (Captain), fl 1853 : Testimonial from passengers of the John Taylor | Compries a handwritten testimonial addressed to " J M Cawkitt Esq, captain of the 'John Taylor" and signed by "...your friends and passengers of the John Taylor". Also includes handwritten note about the ship 'John Taylor' and a photocopy of a newspaper cutting from the Lyttelton times, 22 Oct 1853, which details the short passenger list for the John Taylor and a transcription of Cawkitt's testimonial. One signature in the passenger list may be read as 'R N Briggs' or 'R N Biggs". Text in photocopy of the Lyttelton Times article lists a passenger as 'Biggs" [passenger is possibly Reginald Newton Biggs (Major), 1830-1868], Cawkitt was the Captain of the `John Taylor' Quantity: 1 folder(s) (3 pages on 1 leaf). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss Processing information: Record was updated on 19 January 2022 to remove a name entry for a 'R N Briggs' as the identification of the passenger is not certain. | Cawkitt, J M (Captain), active 1853 | TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library | |
| Pringle album | Album of cartes de visite. Many of the portraits are unidentified, or have minimal information. Includes portrait of Miss Hay, who married Walter Pilliet in 1874 (page 48), and Mr and Mrs Coutts Crawford. Photographers include New Zealand photographers Burton Bros, Nelson K Cherrill, Easter & Wallis, Tyree, Christchurch Fancy Bazaar, London Portrait Rooms, R H Bartlett, Wheeler & Son, J W Allen, W H Clarke, Wrigglesworth & Binns and Charles L Lawrence. Overseas photographers include Perry of Melbourne, Devon photographer J Hawke, Edinburgh photographer Marshall Wane, and Hobart photographer John Bishop-Osborne. Quantity: 1 album(s). Physical Description: Album with heavily embossed leather cover, brass clasp, 31.5 x 25.5 cm. | Edmund Wheeler & Son (Firm) Wrigglesworth and Binns (Firm) Bishop-Osborn, John, 1851?-1934 Lawrence, Samuel Charles Louis, active 1833-1891 Hawke, J, active 1880s Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.) Cherrill, Nelson King, 1845-1916 London Portrait Rooms (Dunedin, N.Z.) Bartlett, Robert Henry, 1842-1911 Christchurch Fancy Bazaar Allen, Joseph Weaver, 1821-1886 Easter & Wallis (Firm) Pringle, Hannah Caroline, -1964 |
TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library |
Macdonald Dictionary Record: John Ollivier
One record, handwritten in ink on rectangular card, with biographical information for John Ollivier. Written by George Ranald Macdonald for the Macdonald Dictionary of Canterbury Biography project, 1952-1964.
George Ranald Macdonald
Canterbury Museum / Canterbury Museum
Wrigglesworth and Binns (Firm)
Bishop-Osborn, John, 1851?-1934
Lawrence, Samuel Charles Louis, active 1833-1891
Hawke, J, active 1880s
Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.)
Cherrill, Nelson King, 1845-1916
London Portrait Rooms (Dunedin, N.Z.)
Bartlett, Robert Henry, 1842-1911
Christchurch Fancy Bazaar
Allen, Joseph Weaver, 1821-1886
Easter & Wallis (Firm)
Pringle, Hannah Caroline, -1964 TAPUHI / Alexander Turnbull Library
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.159 seconds
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NZ Electronic Text Centre
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.013 seconds
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Alexander Turnbull Library
Ollivier, John 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/imu/request.php
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.413 seconds
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Kura Heritage Collections (Auckland)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.159 seconds
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Legacy.com NZ Obituaries
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.43 seconds
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NZ Deaths
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.958 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Family Name | Given Name(s) | Born (approx.) | Age at Death (approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911/4038 | Ollivier | John Morton | 1842 | 69Y | Order Product |
| 2002/27340 | Ollivier | John Maxwell Morton | 25 January 1913 🔍NZ | 89 years | Order Product |
Upper Hutt City Libraries Heritage Collections
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.418 seconds
Source: Upper Hutt City Libraries (via RECOLLECT) / 'personal, informational and non-commercial proposes'
Our Stuff - Denise & Peter's NZ history site
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.011 seconds
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NZ Genealogy Research Made Easy
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.993 seconds
Source: New Zealand Genealogy Research Made Easy, by Barbara Andrew / "pages may be freely linked"
Mr John OLLIVIER today. John Robert PAWSEY, a farmer of BALCAIRN, spent a week at the city Hotel, and during the time he was almost continually drunk, and gave the manager of the
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~babznz/genealogy/hb1888sept2.html
1888nov
Club, 500 yards handicap. Mr John OLLIVIER announces himself a candidate for the representation of Lincoln in Parliament in the place of Mr A P O'CALLAGHAN, resigned Yesterday
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~babznz/genealogy/hb1888nov.html
1888july
Klingeustein s Hotel. Mr John OLLIVIER has retired from the contest for Ashley in deference to the wish of the electors, to be locally represented. Mr DARRELL and Mr DIXON
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~babznz/genealogy/hb1888july.html
Archives NZ
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://archway.howison.co.nz/ajax/simple.php?search=%22john%22+AND+%22ollivier%22&simple_view=1
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.35 seconds
Source: Archives NZ Collections Search / CC BY / via Archway
Army Department > Inwards letters and registered files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| From: Messrs Ollivier and Brown, Wellington Date: 8 August 1884 Subject: For particulars regarding death of Trooper John Wyatt, late Wanganui Cavalry | 1884 | Wellington | Open |
Justice Department > Inwards letters and registered files
Department of Internal Affairs, Head Office > Central filing system
Ministry of Forestry, Head Office > "M" Black and White Negatives and Prints
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Caption: The grave of Claude Morton Ollivier at Jacksons Bay. Classification: 902 Memorials Photographer: J. H. Johns Date: 1959 |
1959 | Wellington | Open |
Christchurch High Court > Christchurch Probate files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| OLLIVIER John - Ashbourne - Esquire | 1893 | Christchurch | Open |
Wellington High Court > Wellington divorce files
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Ollivier, John Maxwell Morton v Ollivier, Vera Marjorie | 1956 | Wellington | Restricted |
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Inwards Correspondence of the Secretary for Railways [ICR]
Department of Justice, Head Office > Wellington Land District Deposited Deeds
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Power of Attorney - John Preston to Frank Morton Ollivier | 1879 | Wellington | Open |
Christchurch High Court > Christchurch transfer of shares
| Name | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Transfer of Shares No. 4 Henry Fowle SEAGER to John OLLIVIER 25th February 1873 | 1873 | Christchurch | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Public Records Office records
Department of Lands and Survey, Christchurch District Office > Papers of the [Canterbury] Provincial Council
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| Session 23 - Message - confirming the election of John Ollivier to be Speaker - 30 May 1865 | 1865 | Christchurch | Open | |
| Session 26 - Papers and Returns - Letter from John Ollivier, respecting the appointment of Provincial Auditor, dated 18 Oct 1866 - 24 Oct 1866 | 1866 | Christchurch | Open |
Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington District Office > Commissioner of Crown Lands registered files
New Zealand Defence Force, Personnel Archives > Military Personnel Files
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| FOX, John Ollivier - WW1 39975 - Army | 1914 ‑ 1918 | Wellington | Restricted |
Department of Justice, High Court, Gisborne > Gisborne probates
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| FOX John Ollivier - Gisborne - Retired | 1974 | Auckland | Open |
High Court Auckland, Department of Justice > Auckland probates - second sequence
| Name | Scan | Year(s) | Held At | Access |
| OLLIVIER John Morton - Thames - Inspector Bridge Contracts | 1911 | Auckland | Open |
Tasman Heritage
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.354 seconds
No results found.
NZ Marriages (Groom)
🔍 ASHSearch URL:
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.373 seconds
Source: BDMs by DIA / CC BY 4.0
| Registration | Bride's Given Name(s) | Bride's Family Name | Groom's Given Name(s) | Groom's Family Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905/1356 | Sarah Mariah | Trimmer | John Morton | Ollivier | Order Product |
| 1871/8775 | Jane Elizabeth | Wilkinson | John Morton | Ollivier | Order Product |
| 1941/1308 | Vera Marjorie | Parry | John Maxwell Morton | Ollivier | Order Product |
West Coast NZ History
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/search?datefrom=&dateto=&keywords=John+Ollivier&type=phrase
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.446 seconds
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Lower Hutt MyRecollect
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.308 seconds
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Masterton Anglican History
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 0.781 seconds
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NZSG Kiwi Collection (non-member records)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHWith the kind permission of the NZSG
Source: Kiwi Collection copyright The New Zealand Society of Genealogists
| Name | Date | Record Type |
|---|---|---|
| OLLIVIER, John 🔍 | 09 Aug 1893 | NZ Probates |
| OLLIVIER, John Morton 🔍 | 1911 | NZ Probates |
| OLLIVIER, John Morton 🔍 | 12 Jun 1911 | NZ Probates |
Find A Grave (NZ cemeteries)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 2.392 seconds
Source: FindAGrave / limited search result excerpts for non-commercial personal research
| Name | Born | Died | Cemetery | Cemetery location | Region |
| John Ollivier | 25 Mar 1812 🔍 | 31 Jul 1893 🔍 📰 | Woolston Cemetery | Woolston, Christchurch City | Canterbury |
| John Morton Ollivier | 9 May 1843 🔍 | 25 Apr 1911 🔍 📰 | Shortland Cemetery | Thames, Thames-Coromandel District | Waikato |
Tinui History
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://www.tinuihistory.org/_/search?query=%22Ollivier%2C+John%22+OR+%22John+Ollivier%22&scope=site
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 2.203 seconds
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Canterbury Museum Collections - People
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://collection.canterburymuseum.com/persons?view=list&query=pe_sym_name_lf%3A%22Ollivier%2C+John%22
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.853 seconds
Source: Canterbury Museum / CC BY NC
| Name | Born | Died | Place of birth | Place of death | Nationality | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ollivier, John
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Ollivier, John Morten
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Dictionary of NZ Biography (Scholefield, 1940)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://dict-bio.howison.co.nz/ash_search/?s=John+Ollivier
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.747 seconds
Indexed by Luke Howison, 2023
Source: A Dictionary of NZ Biography, by Scholefield (1940), from NZ History / CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ
| Name | Biography | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John Ollivier | OLLIVIER, JOHN (1812-93) was born in Isle of Wight, the son of Claude Nicholas Ollivier. He received his education for the most part at the college at Abbeville, France, and then went into the publishing business in London, where he spent 20 years. He recalled that his firm published the first edition of Kinglake's Eothen in 1844. Ollivier was married (1837) to Elizabeth Morton (d. 1892) of Lincolnshire, and before they left for New Zealand the couple had eight sons and one daughter. Ollivier took an active interest in social and philanthropic movements. He was a strong supporter of the Corn Law League. He appears to have been a member of the board of guardians in the parish of St James; at any rate he was vestry clerk and clerk to the guardians. He stood throughout for Conservative principles; but his friendships were non-party. When he decided to leave for New Zealand he was presented with a cheque for 400 sovereigns at a public dinner at which two-thirds of the diners were political opponents. Ollivier sailed with his family for New Zealand in the John Taylor on 10 Jul 1853, arriving on 17 Oct. He lost no time in obtaining a leasehold farming property at upper Riccarton, where he lived for six or seven years. He could not refrain from activities which had engaged him in the Old Country. In 1860 he gave up the farm and removed to Christchurch, building a house in Ferry road and starting in business with his son as auctioneers. He was elected to the Provincial Council in 1855 for Christchurch Country district, which in 1856 returned him to Parliament. He continued to represent it until the middle of 1860, when he resigned. Ollivier held office in several provincial executives. Returned to the Council for Heathcote in 1857, he took office as provincial secretary under Tancred, continued under Cass, and eventually was himself the leader of an administration for a few weeks (1859). An admirer of Moorhouse, he warmly supported the railway and tunnel project. Moorhouse referred to him as 'the Canterbury wet nurse' and Hall remarked that 'he seemed always to have found something to do in the public interests of the province.' A witty and attractive speaker, he drew better houses in Christchurch than professional lecturers. When his official position prevented him standing for the Council, he was nominated for Seadown, simply to enable the electors to hear him make a speech. Having resigned from Parliament (1860), Ollivier in 1861 inaugurated the agitation to secure local government for Christchurch. A petition was presented to the provincial government in Dec and received a favourable reply. In Feb 1862 the electors chose their Council and next month the Council elected its mayor. When Hall retired from the chairmanship of the City Council (1863) Ollivier was elected for the next term (1863-64). Noting the waning popularity of Moorhouse, he tried in 1863 to secure a new Superintendent who would represent a compromise between the FitzGerald and Moorhouse parties. He nominated Bealey, who was elected unopposed. At this general election Ollivier was returned for Christchurch City, which he represented until 1866. He frequently acted as chairman of committees, and occasionally as speaker. In 1865 (when Bowen retired) he was elected speaker (1865-66). During 1865 he was for a short period deputy-superintendent. At the dissolution Ollivier retired from politics to become provincial auditor of road board accounts. In Dec 1881 he was appointed resident magistrate, and for eight years he held that office at Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, and Ashburton. He was a member of the Canterbury land board (1884-88). On resigning from the bench (1889), though now approaching 80 years of age, he made two efforts to re-enter Parliament. In 1889 he contested Lincoln against Alfred Saunders. He was a strong advocate of protection. Holding the views he did on politics, he declined to organise the election or take any steps beyond stating his views to the electors. Saunders won by 676 to 320. A few months later he contested Christchurch North, but was defeated by E. W. Humphreys. Ollivier was a man of fine public spirit, quite disinterested. At a public presentation in 1887 Sir John Hall read a letter written to Ollivier by a high official in England on the eve of his sailing for New Zealand in which he said: 'Of all the men whom I have ever encountered, you appear to me always taking the side of justice, mercy, and good order, opposing every measure of a contrary tendency; whilst the moderation and soundness of your views, and the honesty of purpose with which they have been invariably advocated, never failed to carry with them the sympathy and respect of their political opponents.' Ollivier died on 31 Jul 1893. Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., iii; Cox; Lyttelton Times, 1 Aug 1893; The Press, 17 May 1860 (p). Portrait: Parliament House. | Volume 2, page 70 |
OLLIVIER, JOHN (1812-93) was born in Isle of Wight, the son of Claude Nicholas Ollivier. He received his education for the most part at the college at Abbeville, France, and then went into the publishing business in London, where he spent 20 years. He recalled that his firm published the first edition of Kinglake's Eothen in 1844. Ollivier was married (1837) to Elizabeth Morton (d. 1892) of Lincolnshire, and before they left for New Zealand the couple had eight sons and one daughter. Ollivier took an active interest in social and philanthropic movements. He was a strong supporter of the Corn Law League. He appears to have been a member of the board of guardians in the parish of St James; at any rate he was vestry clerk and clerk to the guardians. He stood throughout for Conservative principles; but his friendships were non-party. When he decided to leave for New Zealand he was presented with a cheque for 400 sovereigns at a public dinner at which two-thirds of the diners were political opponents.
Ollivier sailed with his family for New Zealand in the John Taylor on 10 Jul 1853, arriving on 17 Oct. He lost no time in obtaining a leasehold farming property at upper Riccarton, where he lived for six or seven years. He could not refrain from activities which had engaged him in the Old Country. In 1860 he gave up the farm and removed to Christchurch, building a house in Ferry road and starting in business with his son as auctioneers. He was elected to the Provincial Council in 1855 for Christchurch Country district, which in 1856 returned him to Parliament. He continued to represent it until the middle of 1860, when he resigned. Ollivier held office in several provincial executives. Returned to the Council for Heathcote in 1857, he took office as provincial secretary under Tancred, continued under Cass, and eventually was himself the leader of an administration for a few weeks (1859). An admirer of Moorhouse, he warmly supported the railway and tunnel project. Moorhouse referred to him as 'the Canterbury wet nurse' and Hall remarked that 'he seemed always to have found something to do in the public interests of the province.' A witty and attractive speaker, he drew better houses in Christchurch than professional lecturers. When his official position prevented him standing for the Council, he was nominated for Seadown, simply to enable the electors to hear him make a speech.
Having resigned from Parliament (1860), Ollivier in 1861 inaugurated the agitation to secure local government for Christchurch. A petition was presented to the provincial government in Dec and received a favourable reply. In Feb 1862 the electors chose their Council and next month the Council elected its mayor. When Hall retired from the chairmanship of the City Council (1863) Ollivier was elected for the next term (1863-64). Noting the waning popularity of Moorhouse, he tried in 1863 to secure a new Superintendent who would represent a compromise between the FitzGerald and Moorhouse parties. He nominated Bealey, who was elected unopposed. At this general election Ollivier was returned for Christchurch City, which he represented until 1866. He frequently acted as chairman of committees, and occasionally as speaker. In 1865 (when Bowen retired) he was elected speaker (1865-66). During 1865 he was for a short period deputy-superintendent. At the dissolution Ollivier retired from politics to become provincial auditor of road board accounts. In Dec 1881 he was appointed resident magistrate, and for eight years he held that office at Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, and Ashburton. He was a member of the Canterbury land board (1884-88).
On resigning from the bench (1889), though now approaching 80 years of age, he made two efforts to re-enter Parliament. In 1889 he contested Lincoln against Alfred Saunders. He was a strong advocate of protection. Holding the views he did on politics, he declined to organise the election or take any steps beyond stating his views to the electors. Saunders won by 676 to 320. A few months later he contested Christchurch North, but was defeated by E. W. Humphreys.
Ollivier was a man of fine public spirit, quite disinterested. At a public presentation in 1887 Sir John Hall read a letter written to Ollivier by a high official in England on the eve of his sailing for New Zealand in which he said: 'Of all the men whom I have ever encountered, you appear to me always taking the side of justice, mercy, and good order, opposing every measure of a contrary tendency; whilst the moderation and soundness of your views, and the honesty of purpose with which they have been invariably advocated, never failed to carry with them the sympathy and respect of their political opponents.' Ollivier died on 31 Jul 1893.
Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., iii; Cox; Lyttelton Times, 1 Aug 1893; The Press, 17 May 1860 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.
Volume 2, page 70NZ War Graves
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Wellington City Council Archives
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Archives Central (Manawatū-Whanganui)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://archivescentral.org.nz/search?keys=%22John+Ollivier%22&sort_by=search_api_relevance&sort_order=DESC
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.917 seconds
No results found.
Masterton Library Wairarapa Archive
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHRetrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 2.923 seconds
No results found.
Puke Ariki Collections - People
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://collection.pukeariki.com/persons?query=name_first_last%3AJohn+AND+Ollivier
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.649 seconds
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Hocken Digital Collections
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/search?keywords=John+Ollivier&type=all&viewtype=grid
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 1.865 seconds
Source: University of Otago Library, Hocken Collection / personal study and ... research
Wikidata People (New Zealanders)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASH
BillionGraves (NZ cemeteries)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://billiongraves.com/api/1.3/search
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 4.067 seconds
Source: BillionGraves / limited search result excerpts for non-commercial personal research
| Name | Born | Died | Cemetery | Region |
| John Ollivier | 25 Mar 1812 🔍 | 31 Jul 1893 🔍 📰 | Rutherford Street (Woolston) Cemetery | Canterbury |
Discover EverAfter (NZ Cemeteries)
John Ollivier 🔍 ASHSearch URL: https://discovereverafter.com/
Retrieved at 8:49am, 3 April 2025 in 3.221 seconds