Richard Packer (1794 – 27 July 1872) was a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament from 1856–1859 representing the Town of Christchurch electorate.
[2] Packer lived in Claverton near Bath in the County of Somerset, England, when he decided to emigrate to New Zealand, which he did in 1851.
[6] During a day of low attendance in October 1854, he secured a suspension of the standing orders, which allowed him to pass the first two readings of a bill to enlarge the council's membership by 12 additional members.
Whilst there was justification for such a measure due to the long session lengths, the Executive Council consisting of Henry Tancred, Henry Godfrey Gouland, Charles Simeon, and William John Warburton Hamilton regarded the matter as a vote of no confidence and resigned.
[2][9] Henry Sewell vacated his seat for the Town of Christchurch electorate on 21 October 1856 to commence overseas travel.