He came to Otago with the gold rushes and soon dominated provincial politics. He entered national politics in 1863 and, as Colonial Treasurer from 1869 and Premier (1872–74), was responsible for a bold and successful policy of borrowing to promote immigration, road and railway building, and land development. He was responsible for the establishment of the Government Life Insurance Office and the Public Trust, thus launching a tradition of state involvement for which New Zealand is noted. He served as Treasurer again (1884–87).