Neill Austin

Howard Neill Austin MBE (12 December 1924 – 24 June 2008), known as Neill Austin, was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He held many positions with Federated Farmers.

This article is about the New Zealand politician. For the English footballer, see Neil Austin. For the British lighting designer, see Neil Austin (lighting designer).

Early life

Austin was born in 1924 in Rawene, a town on the south side of the Hokianga harbour. His father was William Neill Austin.[1] He received his education at Okaihau District High School (now Okaihau College). In 1946, he married Violet Mudgway, the daughter of Herbert Lewis Mudgway; the couple were to have three daughters.[1]

Outside politics

Austin was a member of the Umawera School committee from 1956 to 1962. He was on the executive of the Umawera Settlers' Association, and chaired the group from 1960 to 1965. He was a member of the Waihou Memorial Church committee from 1968; Waihou is a locality west of Kaitaia. Austin was on the Auckland Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers from 1969 to 1975, and was president of the Bay of Islands branch of the group from 1970 to 1975. From 1971 to 1975, he was a member of the Council of the Dominion Dairy Section of Federated Farmers.[1]

Political career
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1975–1978 38th Hobson National
1978–1981 39th Bay of Islands National
1981–1984 40th Bay of Islands National
1984–1987 41st Bay of Islands National

He represented the Hobson electorate from 1975 to 1978, and then the Bay of Islands electorate from 1978 to 1987, when he retired and was replaced by John Carter.[2]

Later life

In the 1994 Queen's Birthday Honours, Austin was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for public services.[3] He died on 24 June 2008.[4]

References
  1. Traue, James Edward (1978). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1978 (11th ed.). Wellington: Reed Publishing. p. 47.
  2. Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
  3. "No. 53697". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 11 June 1994. p. 34.
  4. "Wilson, Margaret". Parliamentary Debates. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Logan Sloane		 Member of Parliament for Hobson
1975–1978		 In abeyance
Title next held by
Ross Meurant
In abeyance
Title last held by
Sidney Walter Smith		 Member of Parliament for Bay of Islands
1978–1987		 Succeeded by
John Carter
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