Sir Richard Harrison | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 19th Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 10 May 1978 – 14 July 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Muldoon |
| Preceded by | Roy Jack |
| Succeeded by | Basil Arthur |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Hawkes Bay | |
| In office 30 November 1963 – 14 July 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Cyril Harker |
| Succeeded by | Bill Sutton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Richard Harrison 23 May 1921 Hastings, New Zealand |
| Died | 5 September 2003 (aged 82) Takapau, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Alma mater | University of Canterbury |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  New Zealand |
| Branch/service | New Zealand Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1947 1949–1959 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 23rd Battalion (1943–1945) Hawke's Bay Regiment (1949–1959) |
| Commands | 1st Battalion, Hawke's Bay Regiment (1956–1959) |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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.
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 1959.[2]
In 1948, he married Margaret Kelly, the daughter of E. J. Kelly. They had three sons and one daughter.[3]
Political career
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963–1966 | 34th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
| 1966–1969 | 35th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
| 1969–1972 | 36th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
| 1972–1975 | 37th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
| 1975–1978 | 38th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
| 1978–1981 | 39th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
| 1981–1984 | 40th | Hawke's Bay | National | ||
In the 1963 election, Harrison stood for Parliament in the electorate of Hawke's Bay, and was successful.[4] He served as a National Party backbencher for six years. After the 1969 election, he was made Junior Whip,[5] and was Chairman of Committees in 1972, and again from 1976 to 1978.[6] In 1978, he was elected Speaker after the death of Roy Jack. His Speakership ended at the 1984 election,[7] when National Government lost, and when Harrison lost the election in the Hawke's Bay electorate to Bill Sutton.[8]
In the 1980 Queen's Birthday Honours, Harrison was appointed a Knight Bachelor, two years after becoming speaker.[4][9]
Death
Harrison died on 5 September 2003.
Notes
- 1 2 Gustafson 1986, p. 319.
- ↑ "Biographies of Former and Current Speakers of the New Zealand House of Representatives" (PDF). New Zealand Parliament.
- ↑ Traue 1978, p. 135.
- 1 2 Wilson 1985, p. 203.
- ↑ Wilson 1985, p. 280.
- ↑ Wilson 1985, p. 252.
- ↑ Wilson 1985, p. 251.
- ↑ Wilson 1985, pp. 203, 237.
- ↑ "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.