Waimea was located in the northern part of the South Island, facing the Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere.
It includes Wakefield, Brightwater, Richmond and smaller settlements north of Nelson.
[1] Four members were nominated for the inaugural 1853 election: David Monro, William Cautley, Charles Elliott, and John Saxton.
[2] Whilst Elliott and Saxton subsequently withdrew, Monro and Cautley wanted to go ahead with the poll held on 16 August, as one had been demanded on behalf of the other candidates.
Travers subsequently contested the seat that Cautley had vacated, being elected in the 21 June 1854 Waimea by-election.