The 1931 New Zealand census had been cancelled due to the Great Depression, so the 1937 electoral redistribution had to take ten years of population growth into account.
The increasing population imbalance between the North and South Islands had slowed, and only one electorate seat was transferred from south to north.
[3] Settlements that were covered by the original electorate included Havelock, Picton, Blenheim, and Kaikōura.
[4] The area is noted for growing grapes for white wine.
[5] In the 1946 election, Meachen was defeated by National's Tom Shand.