The New Zealand Company had not managed to attract a sufficient number of landowners to the area and ended up being the major employer themselves.

[1] In April 1844, Robinson was appointed headmaster of a school in Bridge Street.

The following year, he moved to the Bay of Islands to run an agency for the brewery Hooper and Company.

[1] In April 1850, Robinson chaired a meeting of labourers, when it was decided to approach the New Zealand Company for its unfulfilled promises.

[3] He followed this up in 1852 with a letter to Governor George Grey, and in 1854 brought the issue to the attention of the New Zealand Government.

A show of hands indicated a majority for Robinson, who was thus declared duly elected.

Robinson and David Monro contested the superintendency on class issues.

[12] The election on Thursday, 8 October 1857[13] resulted in 681 and 451 votes for Robinson and Saxton, respectively.

[8] During his second term, Robinson laid the foundation stone for the Provincial Government Buildings in Nelson on 26 August 1859.

[8] There was considerable conflict between Robinson's policies of supporting smaller land holders, and the objectives of the large pastoral run-holders in the Wairau Valley.

Robinson's son Edward survived, only to be drowned 23 years later in similar circumstances at the Waitapu entrance, while attempting to take a boat from the coaster steamer Lady Barkly into Motupipi, Golden Bay, on 2 August 1888.