About George Buckley
Lived 1830 – 1895 (aged 64–65). George Buckley was a farmer.
George Buckley (18 July 1830 – 19 November 1895) was a New Zealand runholder and politician.
Buckley was born on 18 July 1830 in Chatham, Kent, England. His parents were William Henry Buckley and Elizabeth (. His grandfather was a captain killed in the Battle of Waterloo. The family emigrated to Australia in 1840. George Buckley was at first a clerk in the Melbourne treasury office, and then a draughtsman in the city's survey department. Together with his brother John, he then joined Dalgety & Co.
Buckley married Alexandrina McLean on 25 February 1860; she was the sister of John and Allan McLean.
He was a partner in the Lyttelton firm Dalgety, Buckley, and Co. John and Allan McLean bought the Waikakahi run near Waimate in 1866, and they took Buckley into their business partnership. Buckley sold his shares to the McLean brothers in 1875.
Buckley was a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council. He represented the Town of Lyttelton electorate (1862–1866) and then the Waimate electorate until the abolition of provincial government (1866–1876). He was a member of the Executive Council for three periods: in November 1866, from August to October 1871, and from April 1875 to June 1876. He held the offices of Deputy-Superintendent and Provincial Secretary. He stood in the in the electorate, but was defeated by John Hall (who was later to become the 12th Premier).
He was a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council from 3 July 1871 to 19 August 1884 when he was disqualified for absence; and 28 October 1884 to 9 September 1885 when he resigned.
Buckley was the president of the Bank of New Zealand for a short time in the late 1880s. His revelations about the financial situation of the bank caused "a good deal of sensation". He was survived by his wife, three daughters, and three sons, His son George became notable through an Antarctic journey. His youngest daughter, Ruby, married Arthur Rolleston in 1899.
Buckleys Road in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood is named after him.
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Important facts
People in George Buckley's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped George Buckley's
Frequently asked questions
Who was George Buckley?
New Zealand runholder and politician (1830–1895)
When was George Buckley born?
George Buckley was born in 1830.
When did George Buckley die?
George Buckley died on 19 November 1895.
What was George Buckley's occupation?
George Buckley was a farmer.
What nationality was George Buckley?
George Buckley's recorded nationality: Colony of New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: George Buckley (New Zealand politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Buckley. https://biography.guide/george-buckley-farmer/
MLA: "George Buckley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-buckley-farmer/.
Chicago: "George Buckley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-buckley-farmer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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