Richard Harrison (New Zealand politician)

Sir John Richard Harrison ED (23 May 1921 – 5 September 2003) was a New Zealand politician. After serving in a number of capacities in the National Party, he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1978 to 1984.

Richard Harrison

Early life

Harrison was born in Hastings, New Zealand, on 23 May 1921. He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School and Canterbury University, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. During World War II, Harrison served in the army, and saw active service in Italy. He remained in the army for several years after the war.[1] After leaving the military, he established himself as a farmer,[1] although remained active as an army reservist. He served as commander of the reservist Hawke's Bay Regiment from 1956 to 1957.

In 1948, he married Margaret Kelly, the daughter of E. J. Kelly. They had three sons and one daughter.[2]

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
19631966 34th Hawke's Bay National
19661969 35th Hawke's Bay National
19691972 36th Hawke's Bay National
19721975 37th Hawke's Bay National
19751978 38th Hawke's Bay National
19781981 39th Hawke's Bay National
19811984 40th Hawke's Bay National

In the 1963 election, Harrison stood for Parliament in the electorate of Hawke's Bay, and was successful.[3] He served as a National Party backbencher for six years. After the 1969 election, he was made Junior Whip,[4] and was Chairman of Committees in 1972, and again from 1976 to 1978.[5] In 1978, he was elected Speaker after the death of Roy Jack. His Speakership ended at the 1984 election,[6] when National Government lost, and when Harrison lost the election in the Hawke's Bay electorate to Bill Sutton.[7]

In the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours, Harrison was appointed a Knight Bachelor, two years after becoming speaker.[3][8]

Death

Harrison died on 5 September 2003.

Notes

  1. Gustafson 1986, p. 319.
  2. Traue 1978, p. 135.
  3. Wilson 1985, p. 203.
  4. Wilson 1985, p. 280.
  5. Wilson 1985, p. 252.
  6. Wilson 1985, p. 251.
  7. Wilson 1985, pp. 203, 237.
  8. "No. 48214". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 14 June 1980. p. 39.

References

  • Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
  • Traue, James Edward, ed. (1978). Who's Who in New Zealand (11th ed.). Wellington: Reed.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
Political offices
Preceded by
Alfred E. Allen
Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives
1972
1976–1978
Succeeded by
Ron Bailey
Preceded by
Jonathan Hunt
Succeeded by
Jack Luxton
Preceded by
Roy Jack
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
19781984
Succeeded by
Sir Basil Arthur
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Cyril Harker
Member of Parliament for Hawkes Bay
1963–1984
Succeeded by
Bill Sutton
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.