| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Edward Graham McMinn | 284 | 53.89 | ||
| Independent | Frederick Alexander Whitaker | 243 | 46.11 | ||
| Majority | 39 | 7.37 | |||
| Turnout | 691 | ||||
- ^ "Waipa Election". The New Zealand Herald. 26 July 1878.
- ^ "Waipa Election". Otago Witness. 3 August 1878.
- ^ "Waipa Election". Grey River Argus. 26 July 1878.