George Richardson Independent Robert McNab Liberal The Mataura by-election, 1898 was a by-election held on 26 May 1898 during the 13th New Zealand Parliament in the rural lower South Island electorate of Mataura.

The by-election was triggered after sitting Member George Richardson was declared bankrupt.

[1] Robert McNab stated that had Richardson contested the election, he would not have accepted a nomination and allowed him to return unopposed.

[2] McNab had previously represented the Mataura electorate from 1893 to 1896 when he was defeated by Richardson.

[3] The following table gives the election results: After winning the contest, McNab held the seat uninterrupted until 1908 when he was defeated.