Daniel Pollen

Daniel Pollen (2 June 181318 May 1896) was an Irish-New Zealand politician who became the ninth premier of New Zealand, serving from 6 July 1875 to 15 February 1876.

Early life The son of Hugh Pollen, a dock master, Pollen was born in Ringsend, Dublin. Little is known about the early part of his life, but it is supposed that he grew up in Ireland and in the United States of America. However, his father was dock master of the Grand Canal Company at Ringsend in 1812, still held that office in 1832, and died in 1837 to be succeeded as dock master by Thomas Pollen. On some accounts, Pollen's father helped to build the United States Capitol.

A doctor, Pollen claimed to hold the MD degree, although where he graduated is not recorded. He travelled to New South Wales in the late 1830s, and moved to North Auckland in January 1840. He was a witness to the proceedings of the Treaty of Waitangi. He began his practice as a doctor in Parnell, Auckland, in 1841. Together with British potter James Wright, Pollen created the first commercial scale crockery kiln in New Zealand here.

On 16 July 1861, he was appointed to the New Zealand Legislative Council. In 1862, he resigned as Commissioner of Crown Lands, and became the Deputy Superintendent of Auckland, where he served until the end of his second term. He resigned from the Legislative Council on 4 December 1867 to become agent for the Central Government at Auckland.

He returned to the Legislative Council on 10 June 1868 to represent the Stafford Ministry. He resigned from the Legislative Council in 1870 to be agent in Auckland again.

Premier of New Zealand The Vogel Ministry recalled him to the Legislative Council on 12 May 1873, where he became colonial secretary on 4 July 1873. He held this role until 13 October 1877 during various ministries. He became Premier on 6 July 1875 and led the Pollen Ministry until 15 February 1876. After he left this position, he was again appointed to the Legislative Council on 12 May 1873 and served for 23 years until his death on 18 May 1896.