Ian Lawrence (mayor)

Lawrence was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 29 December 1937.[1] As a youth, Lawrence and his parents moved to Wellington. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts.[2] He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School before proceeding to study law at the University of Sydney before moving to Wellington with his parents and continuing his education at Victoria University College, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Laws.[3] He practiced law independently and later became Chairman of the National Housing Commission.

In 1972, Lawrence was naturalised as a New Zealand citizen.[1]

As a trained lawyer, Lawrence worked in several New Zealand firms. He was the senior partner at law firm Johnston & Lawrence.[4]

Lawrence was elected as a Wellington City Councillor on a Citizens' ticket in 1971. He remained a councillor until 1983 when he was elected Mayor, replacing the retiring Sir Michael Fowler. His last term as a councillor (1980–83) he also served as Deputy Mayor.[2] Lawrence spent much time attracting major events to Wellington; he brought the Nissan Mobil 500 street car race and established New Zealand Festival.[5][6] Lawrence served one term as Mayor until he was defeated by Labour's Jim Belich in 1986. He later served as a Wellington Regional Councillor.

For many years he was Chairman of the Jewish Community Centre which together with the Synagogue became the hub of Jewish life.

In the 1992 New Year Honours, Lawrence was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to local government and the community.[7] He also served a spell as the president of the Wellington Rotary Club.[2] He moved to Jerusalem in 2014 and died there on 8 March 2019.[8]

Lawrence was married with five children. His wife died less than one year before he did.

• Ian Lawrence, centre, in 1984 (photo)
• Mayors of Wellington (with photos, from WCC Archives)