John Parkin Taylor (1812 – 12 August 1875) was a 19th-century New Zealand runholder, and a politician in Otago and Southland.

Taylor's family emigrated to New Zealand in 1849 and he was a sheep farmer in various parts of the South Island before finally settling on a run near Riverton in Southland, where he had his homestead 'Waldeck' built.

In 1865, he was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council and with one break in membership due to non-attendance, he remained a member until his death.

[4][5] Having bought land in the Awatere Valley[6] sheep farming proved uneconomic and Taylor moved south, leaving his family in Nelson.

He bought land in circa 1853 just north of the Waitaki River; the Waikakahi run was later known as Elephant Hill.

Taylor addressed the electors at a meeting, where he confirmed his political independence and inexperience:[8] I must, however, distinctly state that, as I have hitherto but very superficially studied New Zealand politics, if elected, I go to the Assembly entirely unfettered by any pledge, excepting to oppose Dr. Menzies' proposal for the division of the Province.Dr Menzies was a settler near the later town of Wyndham, and he was the leader of the Southland separatist movement, the initiative to split the Southland Province off from the Otago Province.

[17] On 17 July 1872, Taylor was declared elected mayor of Riverton as his opponent had failed to sign the nomination form.

[19] Taylor was ill for a long time and after much pain, he died on 12 August 1875 at his homestead Waldeck,[20][21] aged 63.