Editing Harry Atkinson (section)

==Provincial politics==
Atkinson first became involved in politics, as a member of the [[Taranaki Province|Taranaki provincial council]]. He represented the Grey and Bell electorate from 1857 to 1865, and again from 1873 to 1874.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=231}} He was a member of the Executive Council from 1868{{Note|No end year given in the source}} and again in 1874 (May to October).{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=231}} He was Deputy [[Superintendent (New Zealand)|Superintendent]] in 1861–1862 to [[Charles Brown (New Zealand politician)|Charles Brown]], and again in 1863.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=230}}

Of particular interest to him was policy regarding Māori-owned land, which he wished to see taken over by the British settlers. Continued Māori ownership, he believed, prevented economic development for the colony. Atkinson and his Richmond relations regarded the Māori as "savages", and believed in war as a reasonable option for ensuring Māori co-operation with British land-acquisition.