The by-election was caused by the resignation of the incumbent MP Alfred Cox on 13 June 1878.
[1] The by-election was won by Edward Graham McMinn, described as a Government supporter.
[3] Frederick Alexander Whitaker opposed the government of George Grey.
There were reportedly "nearly forty natives on the roll, besides some ninety votes about Auckland" (for whom the nearest polling booth was Newcastle).
[4] Whitaker lost the by-election, but won the seat in the 1879 election, and McMinn came third (Waipa voted on 10 September 1879).