John Howell (1809 – 25 May 1874) was a New Zealand whaler, trader, pastoralist and politician. Howell was born in 1809. He settled in New Zealand, and established the settlement that is today known as Riverton. He was a member of the Southland Provincial Council from 1862 to 1864 for the Riverton electorate, and from 1864 to 1867 for the Aparima electorate.