When the Westland Province was inaugurated, White stood for election in January 1874 for one of the three seats in the Hokitika electorate and was returned at the head of the poll. He remained a member of the provincial council until his death. He was the first Speaker of the Provincial Council (24 February 1874 – 8 June 1874) until he resigned to become a member of the short-lived first Westland Executive Council in June 1874. The Provincial Council was adjourned after three sessions in April 1875 and never met again before it was abolished shortly after White's death. Hence, White had practically retired from public life when he retired from the House of Representatives.
