Edward Pearce

Edward Pearce (22 February 1833 – 13 October 1922) was a leading merchant who based himself in Wellington, New Zealand from 1861 to 1899.

He arrived in New Zealand in 1861 and returned to England after 1899 leaving his sons in charge of his business, Levin & Co. He died at Cheltenham, England, on 13 October 1922.

Own account Pearce, his wife born Henrietta Diana Cox and their infant eldest son, cabin passengers, arrived in Wellington on the Wild Duck's regular Wellington run from London in mid-January 1861. They had married 18 months earlier in Belize. He had arranged to take a partnership in a substantial Wellington business but after some months proved it to be insolvent. He was licensed as a customs agent in January 1863.

In 1866 he formed a group of businessmen: Edward Pearce, W B Rhodes, George Hunter, W M Bannatyne, George Moore, George Hart and F.A. Krull to set up a gas company in Wellington.

In Wellington he formed one of the port's principal shipping agencies and in addition conducted a large import and export trade until the opportunity arose for expansion by acquisition. and in 1883 with Dunedin's James Rattray was appointed one of two New Zealand directors. Another directorship of national significance was chairmanship of the New Zealand board of the National Mutual Life Assurance Association. Among other directorships he was for many years chairman of: Wellington Patent Slip Co Limited, Wellington Gas Company Limited and Wellington Trust Loan and Investment Co Limited.

He was the Government appointed member of the Wellington Harbour Board for 16 years from its first constitution and was appointed chairman for 5 years.