The previous electoral redistribution was undertaken in 1875 for the 1875–1876 election.
In the six years since, New Zealand's European population had increased by 65%.
This necessitated a major disruption to existing boundaries.
[2] The other two electorates formed in 1881 were Dunedin Central[3] and Peninsula.
[4] The electorate was represented by three Members of Parliament:[3][5] Key Independent