William Anderson (New Zealand politician)

Anderson was born in 1888 in Grays, Essex, and once visited New Zealand in 1905.[1] He studied medicine at the University of Otago, graduating MB ChB in 1920.[2]

In June 1920, Anderson married Mary Lee. Their daughter, Jan, became a leading researcher in photosynthesis.[3] Anderson’s wife died after a long illness when Jan was eight years old.

Anderson lived with his second wife, Molly, in a villa on Stanley Street, Queenstown, that stood until 2016.

He moved to Queenstown, New Zealand in 1920, and remained there for 30 years as the town’s sole medical practitioner.[4] He spent 27 years as the superintendent of Wakatipu Hospital until his retirement in 1950, responding to medical requests across the district.

In the 1954 New Year Honours, Anderson was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the community.[5]

Anderson wrote a popular memoir, Doctor in the Mountains, which described his recollections of working in the "rugged and enormous parish" of the Lake Wakatipu district, taking difficult journeys to treat patients despite limited medical and surgical resources.

Anderson was also the first president of the Queenstown and District Historical Society, the sub-centre chairman of the St John Ambulance Queenstown, and the St John's divisional superintendent. In 1970, Anderson’s 50 years of voluntary service was recognised by his appointment as an Officer of the Order of St John.[6]

Dr William Anderson Park

Anderson died in 1978, at the age of 90.[7] A park located off Windsor Place on Queenstown Hill was named after him in 2016. Funded by a bequest from Anderson's daughter, Jan Anderson, the park received a significant upgrade in 2019 with a memorial plaque, weather vane, seating, and new planting.[8]