The 1879 City of Nelson by-election was a by-election held on 6 February 1879 in the electorate during the 6th New Zealand Parliament.
The by-election was caused by the resignation of the incumbent MP John Sharp.
The by-election was won by Acton Adams. He was described as the “Secularist” candidate;[1] as with David Goldie in the 1879 City of Auckland West by-election; both favouring secular not denominational education.
The following table gives the election result: