Maurice O'Rorke

O’Rorke was born in Moylough, County Galway, Ireland, the third son of the Rev John O’Rorke (an Anglican minister and large landowner) and his third wife Elizabeth (née Dennis). He went to Trinity College, Dublin, getting a B.A. with high honours in classics in 1852. Immediately after finishing his university education, he sailed for Melbourne, Australia. Whilst this was the time of the Victorian gold rush, this was not his motivation. Rather, he had had an uncle, Henry Dennis, who had settled as a squatter in the Darling Downs in the early 1840s, but who had perished in the sinking of the Sovereign near Moreton Bay in 1847. After working in Victoria, Australia, on a farm, he came to Auckland in 1854, farming in Papakura and Onehunga, Auckland.[1]

He represented Onehunga, which became Manukau, from 1861 to 1902, except for 1891–1893 when he was out of Parliament. He was Minister of Immigration and Crown Lands 1873–1874 in the Waterhouse, Fox and Vogel ministries, but was sacked by Vogel, dissatisfied with his performance. He supported the Provincial system in New Zealand, and spoke out against its abolition by Vogel.[2] He served as Chairman of Committees from 1871 to 1872.[3]

O'Rorke served on the Auckland Provincial Council as councillor from November 1865 to October 1876.[4] From December 1865, he served as the council's 3rd (and last) Speaker.[5] He was elected Superintendent in 1875 for a period of five weeks.[2][6]

He was a notable Speaker of the House, serving from 11 July 1879 to 5 November 1902, except for 1891–1893.[7] He supported education, and was in favour of Imperial Federation.

He was knighted in 1880, when he became Sir Maurice, although he had previously used George as his Christian name.[2] In 1904 he was appointed to the Legislative Council, where he served until his death.[8]

The student residential hall, O'Rorke Hall at the University of Auckland, is named after him.

A polo player, he was the Captain of the Auckland Polo Club.[9]

In 1858 he married Cecilia Mary Shepherd, daughter of Alexander Shepherd, the second Colonial Treasurer. They had one son, Edward (Eddie) Dennis O’Rorke (father of the architect Brian O'Rorke).[10][11] Cecilia died on 19 September 1910. Sir Maurice died in Auckland in 1916, survived by his son.[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maurice O’Rorke.

• Chadwick, Joseph (1906). Men of Mark in the World of Sport in New Zealand. Brett Prtg. & Publishing Company. auckland Polo Club.
• Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.