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Sir Frederick Whitaker, KCMG (1812 - 1891) was a New Zealand politician who served twice as Premier of New Zealand and six times as Attorney-General.
Early life Whitaker was born at the Manor House, Bampton, Oxfordshire on 23 April 1812. Whitaker undertook a legal education and became a solicitor and attorney in at the age of 27, and a year later he sailed to Australia and then New Zealand. Whitaker lived in Auckland and was appointed a County Court judge until this position was abolished in 1844 when he returned to work as a lawyer. He was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council in March 1845. He also served as a major in the militia. After leaving the Legislative Council in 1846 he became a member again in May 1853. He also became the provincial law officier for Auckland Province in 1854. Attorney-General Whitaker became the first Attorney-General of New Zealand in the government of Henry Sewell in 1856. He served as Attorney-General until 1861 when he resigned from Cabinet and went back to the law. In October 1863 Whitaker was called upon to form a government to replace Premier Domett following his defeat at a vote of no-confidence. First Premiership Whitaker's term as Premier lasted just over a year until November 1864. His term ended due to differences between himself and Governor Grey over the conduct of the New Zealand Wars. Whitaker also resigned as a member of the Legislative Council. He did serve briefly as member of Parliament for Parnell from 1866 to 1867. In October 1865 he was elected Superintendent of Auckland Province which office he held until 1867. Then for nine years he stayed away from public office. Second Premiership In 1876 he became MP for Waikato and later Attorney-General again, under Atkinson's government. The Atkinson Ministry lasted until October 1877 and Whitaker lost his seat in the House in 1879. However when Premier Hall wanted him to serve as Attorney-General again he was appointed once more to the Legislative Council in 1879. When Hall resigned in April 1882, Whitaker became Premier for the second time serving until September 1883. Whitaker was made a KCMG in 1884 and did a final spell as Attorney-General and leader of the Legislative Council from 1887 to 1890. His health was failing by then and he died on 4 December 1891. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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