Thomas Mackenzie
GCMG | |
---|---|
18th Prime Minister of New Zealand | |
In office 28 March 1912 – 10 July 1912 | |
Monarch | George V |
Governor | John Dickson-Poynder |
Preceded by | Sir Joseph Ward |
Succeeded by | William Massey |
23rd Minister of Lands | |
In office 28 March 1912 – 10 July 1912 | |
Prime Minister | Himself |
Preceded by | Sir Joseph Ward |
Succeeded by | William Massey |
14th Minister of Agriculture | |
In office 1 May 1909 – 10 July 1912 | |
Prime Minister | Sir Joseph Ward, Himself |
Preceded by | Sir Joseph Ward |
Succeeded by | William Massey |
4th Minister of Industries and Commerce | |
In office 6 January 1909 – 10 July 1912 | |
Prime Minister | Sir Joseph Ward, Himself |
Preceded by | James McGowan |
Succeeded by | William Fraser |
3rd Commissioner of Forests | |
In office 6 January 1909 – 10 July 1912 | |
Prime Minister | Sir Joseph Ward, Himself |
Preceded by | Thomas Young Duncan |
Succeeded by | Francis Bell |
Personal details | |
Born | Edinburgh, Scotland | 10 March 1853
Died | 14 February 1930 Dunedin, New Zealand | (aged 76)
Resting place | Dunedin Northern Cemetery |
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse |
Ida Henrietta Nantes
(m. 1884; died 1926) |
Children | 7, including Clutha |
Sir Thomas Mackenzie
Biography
Early life and career
Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh in 1853. His family emigrated to New Zealand in 1858 when he was four and Mackenzie was educated at Green Island School and at the Stone School, both in Dunedin.[1] After ending his education in his early teens he worked for several years in commercial firms before, aged 20, following his brother James into surveying. He gained employment at the Department of Lands and Survey and worked in several locations including the Hutt Valley, Rangitikei and Manawatu before finally returning to his home area in Dunedin.[2]
In 1877 he purchased a general storekeeping business in Balclutha. He managed the business well and it developed well before he sold it in 1886 for a considerable profit. In the Balclutha area he became a well-known man and was accordingly elected a member of the Balclutha Borough Council from 1881 to 1887.[2] During this period he married, on 24 September 1884, to Ida Henrietta Nantes with whom he had five sons and two daughters.[1]
Mackenzie was also a notable explorer. He was a member of expeditions to the
Member of Parliament
Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1887–1890 | 10th | Clutha | Independent | ||
1890–1893 | 11th | Clutha | Liberal | ||
1893–1896 | 12th | Clutha | Liberal | ||
1900–1902 | 14th | Waihemo | Liberal | ||
1902–1905 | 15th | Waikouaiti | Liberal | ||
1905–1908 | 16th | Waikouaiti | Liberal | ||
1908–1911 | 17th | Taieri | Liberal | ||
1911–1912 | 18th | Egmont | Liberal |
Mackenzie was elected to the New Zealand Parliament for Clutha in 1887. He resigned in 1896 to assess the British markets for New Zealand products and remained in his native land for three years. On his return to New Zealand he was elected to Parliament successively for Waihemo 1900–1902, Waikouaiti 1902–1908, Taieri 1908–1911 and Egmont (in the North Island) 1911–1912, never losing an election he contested.[1] In addition to parliamentary duties Mackenzie was Mayor of Roslyn from 1901 to 1902. Additionally he served for many years on the Otago Education Board, Otago High Schools' Board and the Otago Hospital Board.[2]
Minister and Prime Minister
In January 1909 he was appointed Minister of Industries and Commerce, Tourist and Health Resorts, Scenery Preservation and State Forestry Departments in the government of Sir Joseph Ward with a seat in the Cabinet. In May the same year he also became Minister of Agriculture.[3] In May 1912 Ward resigned as Prime Minister. Mackenzie was one of several names floated as possible successor and after a 10-hour caucus meeting on 22 March, presided over by Ward, Mackenzie won a ballot by the caucus 22 votes to 9 over George Laurenson.[4] He also served as Minister of Lands in his own government.[5]
Mackenzie's
Diplomatic career
The new Prime Minister Massey appointed him to London as
Later life and death
In March 1921 he was appointed member of the New Zealand Legislative Council for Otago.[2]
In 1923 he supported
Mackenzie died in Dunedin in 1930 and was buried in the Dunedin Northern Cemetery.[9]
Honours and recognition
He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 1916 New Year Honours (1 January 1916)[10] and promoted to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in June 1920.[11]
Family
His son Clutha Mackenzie who was blinded at Gallipoli was active in work for the blind. He followed his father in also becoming, briefly, a Member of Parliament.[12] His brother James Mackenzie was Surveyor-General of New Zealand from 1912 to 1914.[2]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Brooking, Tom. "Mackenzie, Thomas Noble 1853–1930". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Hall, David Oswald William (1966). "Mackenzie, Sir Thomas, G.C.M.G.". In McLintock, A. H. (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 74.
- ^ Bassett 1993, p. 209.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 75.
- ^ Bassett 1982, p. 12-13.
- ^ Foster, John (1966). "Liberal Party". In McLintock, A. H. (ed.). An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ Galbreath, Ross. "Ernest Valentine Sanderson". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ "Cemeteries search". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ^ "No. 29423". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1915. p. 82.
- ^ "No. 13609". The Edinburgh Gazette. 29 June 1920. p. 1523.
- ^ Hansen, Penelope. "Mackenzie, Clutha Nantes". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
References
- ISBN 0-86870-006-1.
- Bassett, Michael (1993). Sir Joseph Ward: A Political Biography. Auckland: Auckland University Press.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
- Obituary, The Times, 15 February 1930