Harold Rushworth

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Harold Montague Rushworth (18 August 1880 – 25 April 1950) was a New Zealand politician of the Country Party.

[edit] Early life

Rushworth was born in Croydon, England and was educated at Rugby School and Jesus College, Oxford, graduating with a degree in law. He became a civil engineer and surveyor and worked for the London County Council from 1905 until 1914. He was twice seriously wounded during the First World War before joining the Royal Flying Corps and later being shot down over Passendale and being held captive for three months. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1923.^[1]

[edit] New Zealand politics

He started farming at Opua and became an active member of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, rising to become the leader of the Auckland Province. He was the Member of Parliament for the Bay of Islands electorate from 1929 to 1938, when he retired. He won the seat in 1928, but the result of the election was declared void. He then won the subsequent by-election for the seat in 1929.

Arthur Sexton was the other member of parliament for the Country Party, and he was defeated in 1938. The Country Party disappeared soon after the 1938 election.