The Otaki electorate became vacant following the death on 8 December of Henry Augustus Field, two days after the 1899 election.

[1] Before candidates had announced themselves, it was reported that Kennedy Macdonald was considering standing for the Liberal Party.

[2][3] It was reported that it was likely that the brother of the deceased, William Hughes Field, would be asked to stand for the Liberal Party.

[6] In the end, only two candidates were nominated: William Field for the Liberal Party, and Charles Morison in the interests of the opposition.

[5][7] The by-election was held on 6 January and was won by Field's brother William,[8] who during the campaign showed that he was inexperienced in politics.