The by-election came about because of the resignation of the current member of parliament Harry Reginald Jenkins who chose to re-contest his seat.

Dickson had held the seat 1911 but the Reform Party (New Zealand) suffered significant losses in this election.

Jenkins was a big supporter of Gordon Coates who was the Prime Minister and leader of the Reform Party before 1928.

[4] Jenkins, after resigning, decided to join the Reform party and announced that he would try and win selection as their candidate.

[5] There were four Reform nominations for the seat, these were: R. Glover, Jenkins, Bill Endean and James Samuel Dickson.

Auckland City Councillor Ted Phelan likewise declined to seek nomination.