[1] Newman contested the 1881 election in the Foxton electorate, where he came fifth of six candidates, beaten by James Wilson.

[2] The resignation of William Levin from the Thorndon electorate caused an 1884 by-election.

[8] He was a member of the Legislative Council from 1 June 1923 until his death,[11] and for many years was on the Wellington Education Board, the Wellington College Board of Governors and the Senate of the University of New Zealand.

The family prospered, owning estates at Wellington, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, and also ran small thoroughbred stud.

[11] Newman did much to promote science but also held views on white supremacy which were common at the time.