William Hunter Reynolds

Who was William Hunter Reynolds?

William Hunter Reynolds was a 19th-century businessman and Member of Parliament in Dunedin, Otago Region, New Zealand. He was a cabinet minister.

He was involved in shipping, initially with his brother-in-law James Macandrew who had married Elizabeth Hunter Reynolds. He represented the Dunedin and Suburbs South electorate from 1863 to 1866, when the 3rd Parliament was dissolved. He then represented the City of Dunedin electorate in 1866 and from 1867 to 1875. He then represented the Port Chalmers electorate from 1876 to 1878, when he resigned.

He was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council on 30 April 1878, and served until he died.

In 1893 Reynolds was at the centre of a drama that led to the passing of the Women's suffrage bill into law. Premier Seddon had expected to stop the bill in the upper house, but found that one more vote was needed. Thomas Kelly, a new Liberal Party councillor had left himself paired in favour of the measure, but Seddon obtained his consent by wire to change his vote. Seddon's manipulation so incensed two opposition councillors, Reynolds and Edward Cephas John Stevens that they changed sides and voted for the bill, allowing it to pass by 20 votes to 18 and so gave the vote to women.