In the 1892 electoral redistribution, population shift to the North Island required the transfer of one seat from the South Island to the north.

Of those, eight electorates were established for the first time: Bay of Plenty, Otaki, Pareora, Patea, Riccarton, Waiapu, Waimea-Sounds, and Wellington Suburbs.

The remaining six electorates had existed before, and they were re-established for the 12th Parliament: Caversham, Chalmers, Lyttelton, Rangitata, Waihemo, and Waipa.

[5] John Ballance, who had been leading the Ballance Ministry, had died on 27 April 1893[6] and had been succeeded by the Seddon Ministry under Richard Seddon.

[9] The Liberal party was the only established party structure at the time, many independent conservative MPs coalesced as a semi-formal Opposition under the leadership of William Russell.