John Sheehan Video | Interviews

John Sheehan (5 July 1844 – 12 June 1885) was a 19th century New Zealand politician. He was the first New Zealand-born Member of the New Zealand Parliament and the first to hold cabinet rank. He was educated at St Peter's School under the guidance of his teacher, Richard O'Sullivan and where he knew another later Cabinet Minister, Joseph Tole. He was the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Māori Affairs from 1877 to 1879. He represented several North Island electorates: Rodney from 1872 to 1879, then Thames from 1879 to 1884, when he was defeated (for Napier). He then represented... MORE

John Sheehan (5 July 1844 – 12 June 1885) was a 19th century New Zealand politician. He was the first New Zealand-born Member of the New Zealand Parliament and the first to hold cabinet rank. He was educated at St Peter's School under the guidance of his teacher, Richard O'Sullivan and where he knew another later Cabinet Minister, Joseph Tole. He was the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Māori Affairs from 1877 to 1879. He represented several North Island electorates: Rodney from 1872 to 1879, then Thames from 1879 to 1884, when he was defeated (for Napier). He then represented Tauranga in 1885, until he died. LESS