William Joseph Napier

William Joseph Napier (1857 – 28 November 1925) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament for City Auckland (1899–1902) in New Zealand.

Early life Napier was born in Ireland and arrived in New Zealand when he was five years old. He was educated at St Peter's School, Auckland Grammar School and St John's College, Auckland.

Lawyer Napier was a lawyer. He was called to the bar in New Zealand in 1883, and in Fiji in 1886.

Politician

Napier contested the in the electorate. Of seven candidates, he came fifth. Napier was elected to the City of Auckland multi-member electorate in , but was defeated in . In 1901 he was chairman of the statutes revision committee. He then contested the in the same electorate and won the first ballot, but was again beaten by Phillips in the second ballot.

Later life Napier was elected a fellow of the North British Academy of Arts in 1910. Napier died at a private hospital in Auckland on 28 November 1925, and was survived by his wife and two sons. In 1914 he became the president of the Sunnyside Rugby League Football Club which played on the North Shore of Auckland before they merged with North Shore Albions in 1920. At the 1915 annual general meeting he did not seek re-election. The former New Zealand Prime Minister, Joseph Ward was appointed the club patron.

He is buried at Hillsborough Cemetery.