The by-election occurred following the death of MP Robert Walls and was won by Ethel McMillan.

Robert Walls, who was first elected to represent Dunedin North (the electorate's previous and subsequent name) for the Labour Party in the 1945 by-election, died on 6 November 1953.

This triggered the North Dunedin by-election, which was held on 12 December 1953.

[3] Walter Phillips MacDougall was selected as the candidate for the National Party.

[3] The following table gives the election results: McMillan obtained 61.96% of the votes and was successful.