The seat became vacant after the appointment of the sitting member, James Parr of the Reform Party as High Commissioner to London.

The Reform Party vote was split allowing the Labour candidate, Rex Mason, to win.

[3] Labour's candidate in Eden from the previous general election, Rex Mason was successful in winning the party nomination.

But with the Liberals having 11 seats plus two Liberal-leaning independents and Labour 12, Labour realised their chance to be the official Opposition and "threw their all" into their contest; helped by Melville standing as Independent Reform.

"Never before or since have people in the sprawling electorate stretching from Eden Park, through Mount Albert, Pt Chevalier, New Lynn, Te Atatu, Massey and Hobsonville been wooed as assiduously as they were in March and April 1926" with party leaders Coates and Holland spending days in the electorate.