William Nosworthy, a senior figure in the conservative Reform Party. Edward George Wright was the first representative of Ashburton; he had since represented the electorate. In the , Wright was returned unopposed. By the time of the second Ashburton electorate, rural New Zealand was largely united behind the National Party, which held Ashburton for the whole of its second and third incarnations. Its last MP was Jenny Shipley, who went on to become Prime Minister. Members of Parliament Key Election results 1925 election 1922 election 1919 election 1914 election 1911 election 1908 election 1905 election 1902 election 1899 election 1896 election 1893 election 1890 election 1887 election 1884 election Notes References Historical electorates of New Zealand Ashburton, New Zealand 1881 establishments in New Zealand 1946 establishments in New Zealand 1978 establishments in New Zealand 1928 disestablishments in New Zealand 1969 disestablishments in New Zealand 1993 disestablishments in New Zealand Politics of Canterbury, New Zealand