Later Life in New Zealand
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1861–1866 | 3rd | Christchurch | Independent | |
| 1866–1870 | 4th | Coleridge | Independent | |
| 1872–1875 | 5th | Heathcote | Independent | |
After he returned to New Zealand in 1859 Cracroft Wilson was elected to the House of Representatives for the electorates of City of Christchurch (1861–1866), Coleridge (1866–1870), and Heathcote (1872–1875).
At the end of the 1866–1870 term, Cracroft Wilson retired from the Coleridge electorate due to an 'unfortunate accident' that he had suffered. On 30 July 1872, he was elected unopposed to represent Heathcote following the resignation by John Hall, who had accepted a position in the Legislative Council. In the 1875–76 general election, held on 4 January 1876 in the Heathcote electorate, Cracroft Wilson was defeated by James Temple Fisher.
He was for some years Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee. He was a forceful and, at times, provocative debater. During the 1860s, when Māori affairs were frequently before the House, Cracroft Wilson drew freely on his Indian experiences to reinforce his arguments. He strongly urged the use of Gurkha troops as the most effective means of bringing the war to a speedy and successful conclusion. He represented Ashburton on the Canterbury Provincial Council from 1866 to 1870 and Heathcote in 1871 and 1875–76. For a short time in 1875 he was President of the Provincial Executive. In addition he served on numerous local bodies and was a keen member of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. He was an early member of the Canterbury Jockey Club and helped Cass to select the site of the racecourse. He commanded the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, was a patron of opera and drama, a governor of Canterbury College, and a diocesan synodsman. As a farmer, he imported pedigree sheep, principally Lincolns, and founded a stud flock.
Cracroft Wilson died at Cashmere, Christchurch, on 2 March 1881. He was survived by his wife and four of his children (Frederick, Alexander, Emma and Constance).
During World War II, the military commandeered the Cracroft Wilson estate, founded by Cracroft Wilson in 1854, for their Southern Group headquarters, and secret work on the Cracroft Caverns underneath the house began in 1942.
Read more about this topic: John Cracroft Wilson
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