Henry Ell

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Henry George Ell (24 September? 1862 - 27 June 1934) was a New Zealand politician. He is also famous for his conservation work around Christchurch's Port Hills, his advocacy for the summit road, and his construction of the Sign of the Takahe.

Ell was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and grew up on his father's farm in Halswell. As a teenager he worked at the Canterbury Museum, then as a farm hand. Between 1881 and 1884 he was a member of the Armed Constabulary in Taranaki, where he participated in the destruction of Parihaka. This experience turned him into a stern critic of the race-relations policies of the time.

Following his time in the Armed Constabulary, Ell became involved in politics. He was a member of the Knights of Labour and the Canterbury Liberal Association, and stood as a prohibitionist for the seat of City of Christchurch in 1896. He was unsuccessful, but was elected as a Liberal in 1899, and held the seat, and the subsequent seat of Christchurch South, until 1919.

As a Member of the House of Representatives, Ell spoke against the relaxation of liquor laws, the jailing of alcoholics, and against gambling. He also successfully pushed for reform of New Zealand's mental health laws. He served briefly as Postmaster General in the Cabinet of Thomas Mackenzie. However, it is his strong interest in recreation and conservation for which he is most remembered. From 1900 onwards, Ell pushed for the creation of a network of scenic reserves along Christchurch's Port Hills, linked by the Summit Road and with a network of rest-houses to allow travellers and walkers to refrsh themselves. Three of these rest-houses were completed during Ell's lifetime: the Sign of the Bellbird, Sign of the Kiwi, and Sign of the Packhorse. The last,and grandest, the Sign of the Takahe, was not completed until long after his death, in 1949.