Jack Luxton

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John Finlay (Jack) Luxton (1923 - 29 August 2005), QSO, was a dairy farmer and New Zealand politician. He entered Parliament in 1966 as the National Party member for Piako and then, after boundary changes, Matamata. He represented the predominantly rural electorate for 21 years, to 1987.

Luxton was a dairy farmer in Waitoa, between Morrinsville and Te Aroha. He grew up in the area and knew it well, becoming prominent in the Waikato branch of Federated Farmers and serving as dominion councillor before his election to Parliament.

He also continued a family involvement with the Tatua Dairy Company as a director, for several years.

Parliamentary duties included becoming Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees in 1976, positions he held until National's defeat in 1984.

He was particularly interested in Pacific Island affairs, and in 1976 led a Government-sponsored tour of eight Pacific nations to investigate local industries, with a view to increasing New Zealand involvement there.

On his retirement from politics in 1987, Luxton took an active part in his family's horticulture block in Katikati. His seat of Matamata (later Karapiro was retained for National by his son John Luxton from 1987 to 1999.

Luxton was a companion of the Queen's Service Order.

He died, aged 82, in Morrinsville. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, sons Rodney, Bruce, & John, daughter Barbara and their families.