John Ollivier

John Ollivier
Portrait of John Ollivier
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch Country
In office 1856–1860
Preceded by	Dingley Askham Brittin
Succeeded by	Isaac Thomas Cookson
Canterbury Provincial Council
In office 1855–1866
2nd Chairman of the Christchurch Town Council
In office 1863–1864
Preceded by	John Hall
Succeeded by	Isaac Luck
Personal details
Born	25 March 1812 Isle of Wight, England
Died	31 July 1893(1893-07-31) (aged 81) Christchurch, New Zealand
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Ollivier
Relations	Arthur Ollivier (son)
Children	11
Residence	Bolton House, Ferry Road, Christchurch

John Ollivier (25 March 1812 – 31 July 1893) was a Member of Parliament in New Zealand, but was better known for his membership of the Canterbury Provincial Council. He was the second chairman of the Christchurch Town Council.

Ollivier was born in 1812 on the Isle of Wight in England. His parents were Claude Nicholas Ollivier (c.1780–c.1855) and Ann Wilby (c.1782–c.1820). Ollivier was educated in France. He worked as a publisher in London for about 20 years. The most popular work that he published was Eothen; or Traces of travel brought home from the East by Alexander William Kinglake.

He married Elizabeth Morton in 1839. They had a large family, with 10 children born before they emigrated, and one more son born in Christchurch. Their 8th son, Arthur Morton, was born in 1851 and achieved some prominence as a cricketer, mountaineer and businessman. The family came to New Zealand on the John Taylor; the ship left London on 10 July 1853 and arrived in Lyttelton on 18 October. He took up farming next to what is now known as Halswell Road, opposite the suburb of Aidanfield. After a few years, he moved into town and built a house on Ferry Road, where he lived for the rest of his life.

In Christchurch, he established himself as an auctioneer with premises in High Street. He also worked as an accountant and became known as a humorist.

Ollivier was elected onto the Christchurch Town Council for the period from 1863 to 1865, and was selected by his fellow councillors as their chairman for the 1863–1864 council year. He was the second chairman, and the role is the forerunner to the position of Mayor of Christchurch.

Ollivier was first elected onto the Canterbury Provincial Council in 1855 for the Christchurch Country electorate. He served until the dissolution of the 1st Provincial Council in July 1857. He then stood in the Heathcote electorate and was elected onto the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Provincial Council (1857–1863). During the term of the 4th Provincial Council in early 1863, he stood in the City of Christchurch electorate, and he represented that electorate until the dissolution of the 4th Council in May 1866.