Daniel Pollen
Daniel Pollen was an Irish-born medical practitioner and politician who played a significant role in the early development of New Zealand. Born in Dublin in 1813, Pollen spent part of his childhood in the United States before moving to New South Wales, Australia, and then to New Zealand in 1840. He established a medical practice in Parnell and was actively involved in community affairs, notably participating in the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Pollen's career encompassed various political roles; he served on the Auckland Provincial Council, the Legislative Council, and held positions such as colonial secretary and premier, where he advocated for Māori rights and influenced governmental policies. His tenure is marked by his commitment to both the development of New Zealand and the improvement of relations with Māori communities. Pollen's legacy is commemorated in locations named after him, including the Motu Manawa–Pollen Island Marine Reserve. He married Jane Henderson in 1846 and had eight children, contributing to his community life in Auckland.
Subject Terms
Daniel Pollen
Politician and physician
- Born: June 2, 1813
- Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
- Died: May 18, 1896
- Place of death: New Zealand
Significance: Daniel Pollen was an Irish-born physician who immigrated to New Zealand in 1840 and became its ninth premier in 1875. A supporter of Māori and women’s rights, he served in the cabinets of several provincial ministries.
Background
David Pollen was born on June 2, 1813, in Dublin, Ireland, to Hugh Pollen and Elizabeth (née O’Neill) Pollen. Historians have few details about his early life, but it is believed he spent part of his childhood in the United States, where his father, a builder, was helping to build the US Capitol in Washington, DC. He attended college and received a medical degree.
In the late 1830s, Pollen moved to New South Wales, Australia, possibly traveling to the United States first and staying for several years. After a short stay in New South Wales, he went to New Zealand, arriving in North Auckland in December 1839 or January 1840.
Medical Career
Pollen initially settled in Parnell, New Zealand, where he established a medical practice and formed a business partnership with J. F. Hoggard. He also set up a medical practice in Sydney, Australia, and traveled frequently to Australia and the Pacific Islands during 1840 and 1841. In February 1840, he was elected to the New Zealand Banking Company’s provisional committee. He settled permanently in New Zealand after he purchased a farm in Auckland in 1841. He was also appointed coroner in 1844, a position in which he served until 1847, when he moved to Kawau Island. There, he spent several years as the medical officer of a Scottish mining company.
Pollen became involved in community affairs shortly after his arrival in New Zealand. He attended a meeting in Waitangi where the Treaty of Waitangi was proposed, and later witnessed its signing in February 1840. For several years Pollen was a contributor to and editor of the New Zealander, writing about social and political issues such as self-government and temperance. In Kawau, he advocated for the rights of workers, both Māori and European, and was active in many community groups, such as a scientific association and the Total Abstinence Society.
Political Career
After New Zealand was divided into six provinces and its new constitution came into effect in 1852, Pollen was appointed the chief clerk at the Auckland superintendent’s office. He attempted to get a seat on Auckland’s Provincial Council, also known as its parliament, in 1853, but was unsuccessful. The following year, however, he was appointed to the Auckland Provincial Council; he became an elected member for Auckland suburbs in December 1856. He held the seat through February 1857 and again from November 1857 to September 1861. From 1862 to 1865, he represented Auckland East.
During the 1860s and 1870s, Pollen held a multitude of positions. First elected to the Legislative Council in 1861, he served continuously through 1870, except for a one-month interlude between 1867 and 1868. He served as a member of the public domains board in 1863, the receiver of land revenue in 1866, and the deputy superintendent of Auckland in 1866 and 1870. He joined the Stafford government as a member of the executive council from 1868 to 1869.
As commissioner of crown lands for Auckland from 1858 to 1862, Pollen became an advocate for Māori rights. He frequently wrote about Māori issues in the NewZealander and supported improving government relationships with Māori and establishing native districts. In 1870, Pollen’s support for Māori led him to submit his resignation from the Legislative Council after William Fox’s administration censured him for approving a truce offer from Te Kooti, a Māori leader, during the New Zealand Wars. Persuaded to withdraw his resignation, he then became the commissioner under the Native Land Act 1870, the commissioner of confiscated lands, the receiver of land revenue, the deputy superintendent of Auckland, and the immigration officer for the remainder of 1870. He then resigned from the Legislative Council.
Pollen returned to the Legislative Council in 1873 during Julius Vogel’s administration. He was a member of the Executive Council and colonial secretary until July 6, 1875, when he took over the premiership during Vogel’s absence in Germany. Pollen retained the post of colonial secretary in his own government, which lasted until February 15, 1876, when Vogel returned from Germany and resumed his role as premier. Pollen’s influence during his short term as premier was minimal as the real power in the government was Harry Atkinson, who also served in Vogel’s cabinet. Pollen served in Vogel’s new cabinet as colonial secretary until September 1876. He then served in Atkinson’s succeeding ministry as colonial secretary and native minister from 1876 to 1877. He held his seat in the Legislative Council until his death on May 18, 1896.
Impact
Pollen is recognized as being an able administrator during New Zealand’s early government. He promoted the development of New Zealand while simultaneously promoting Māori rights to land and self-government. The Motu Manawa–Pollen Island Marine Reserve, which he purchased in 1855, is named after him. So, too, is Pollen Street, in the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby.
Personal Life
Pollen and Jane Henderson married in 1846. They had eight children and made their home in the Rosebank area of Auckland. Pollen was interested in pottery and built a brickworks factory on Pollen Islan during the 1870s.
Bibliography
“Daniel Pollen.” New Zealand Election, 20 Sept. 2014, nzvote2014.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/daniel-pollen-9-prime-minister. Accessed 19 May 2020.
“The Hon. Daniel Pollen.” The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington ProvincialDistrict], 1897. Victoria University of Wellington Library, nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d3-d8-d10.html#name-133282-mention. Accessed 19 May 2020.
“Pollen, Daniel (1813–96).” AnEncyclopaedia of New Zealand, 1966, teara.govt.nz/en/1966/pollen-daniel. Accessed 19 May 2020.
Scholefield, G. H., editor. “Pollen, Daniel.” A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, vol. 2, 1940, pp. 172–173, nzhistory.govt.nz/files/documents/dnzb-1940/scholefield-dnzb-v2.pdf. Accessed 19 May 2020.
“Street Names: Pollen Street.” Ponsonby News, www.ponsonbynews.co.nz/article-detail/show/50/. Accessed 19 May 2020.