Peter Bannister (2 May 1939 – 26 February 2008) was an English-born New Zealand botanist and academic.

[2] Bannister was Head of department until 2002, and he was awarded the title of emeritus Professor upon his retirement in 2005.

The Bannister Laboratory in the Department of Botany Research Building is named in his honour.

[2] Bannister is commemorated by a plaque and kōwhai (Sophora microphylla) at the Department of Botany, University of Otago, planted on 26 February 2009, the first anniversary of his death.

[2] Bannister's son Matthew is a Scottish-born New Zealand musician, journalist and academic.