Blair Tennent
| Hon Blair Tennent CBE, MP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Blair Tennent in 1954 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Palmerston North | |
| In office 1949–1954 | |
| Preceded by | Ormond Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Philip Skoglund |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manawatu | |
| In office 1957–1966 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew Oram |
| Succeeded by | Les Gandar |
| 27th Minister of Education | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 20 December 1963 | |
| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Philip Skoglund |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Kinsella |
| 20th Mayor of Palmerston North | |
| In office 1956–1959 | |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Tremaine |
| Succeeded by | Gilbert Murray Rennie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 December 1898 Greymouth |
| Died | 1 May 1976 (aged 77) |
| Political party | National Party |
William Blair Tennent CBE (4 December 1898 – 1 May 1976), known as Blair Tennent, was a New Zealand politician of the National Party and a cabinet minister.
Early life
Tennent was born at Greymouth on 4 December 1898 to Elizabeth Blair and her husband, David Tennent. He was dux at Greymouth District High School.[1]
Local body politics
Tennent was a councillor for Palmerston North City Council from 1933-1941. He was Mayor of Palmerston North from 1956-1959.[2][3]
Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1949–1951 | 29th | Palmerston North | National | |
| 1951–1954 | 30th | Palmerston North | National | |
| 1957–1960 | 32nd | Manawatu | National | |
| 1960–1963 | 33rd | Manawatu | National | |
| 1963–1966 | 34th | Manawatu | National | |
Tennent represented the Palmerston North electorate from 1949 to 1954, when he was defeated by Philip Skoglund. He then represented the Manawatu electorate from 1957 to 1966, when he retired.[4]
He was Minister of Education in the Second National Government from 1960 to 1963.[4]
Later life
He was awarded a CBE in 1973. Tennent died at his home in Palmerston North on 1 May 1976.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pilkington, Dorothy. "Tennent, William Blair - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ↑ "1950s". Palmerston North City Council. Retrieved 23 Feb 2010.
- ↑ Matheson, Ian Roderick (2003). "Palmerston North Borough and City Councillors". Council and community: 125 years of local government in Palmerston North 1877-2002. pp. 91–97. ISBN 0-473-09340-5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 89, 239. OCLC 154283103.
Further reading
- Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ormond Wilson |
Member of Parliament for Palmerston North 1949–1954 |
Succeeded by Philip Skoglund |
| Preceded by Matthew Oram |
Member of Parliament for Manawatu 1957–1966 |
Succeeded by Les Gandar |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Philip Skoglund |
Minister of Education 1960–1963 |
Succeeded by Arthur Kinsella |