Ralph Maxwell (politician)
Ralph Kerr Maxwell MBE JP (20 March 1934 – 25 March 2012) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. After his parliamentary career, he joined New Zealand First.[1]
Early life and family
Maxwell was born in 1934. He married Frances Maxwell in circa 1963 and they had three children.[2]
Political career
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1978–1981 | 39th | Waitakere | Labour | |
| 1981–1984 | 40th | Waitakere | Labour | |
| 1984–1987 | 41st | Waitakere | Labour | |
| 1987–1990 | 42nd | Titirangi | Labour | |
Maxwell had a high profile as chairman of the Portage Licensing Trust,[2][3] one of two Licensing Trusts in West Auckland.[4] When Maxwell stood for Parliament in the Waitakere electorate in 1978 for the Labour Party, he was successful.[5] He represented the Waitakere electorate for three parliamentary terms, and when it was abolished for the 1987 election, he successfully stood in the Titirangi electorate instead.[6] In the 1990 election, he was defeated by Marie Hasler, one of a number of losses contributing to the fall of the Fourth Labour Government.[2]
Maxwell had a keen interest in agriculture and worked closely with Colin Moyle, who would become Minister of Agriculture in 1984.[2][7] Maxwell was the Associate Minister of External Relations and Trade and the Associate Minister of Agriculture in 1990.[6]
After parliament
Maxwell moved from West Auckland to Otumoetai after he left parliament. When New Zealand First was formed in 1993, Maxwell joined that party[2] and served on the party executive.[1] He then moved to Paerata near Pukekohe where he worked in real estate.[2]
He supported the formation of a National/New Zealand First coalition (over a Labour/New Zealand First coalition) 1996 general election.[8]
In the 1995 New Year Honours, Maxwell was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for public services.[9] Maxwell died on 25 March 2012 aged 78. He was survived by his wife and their three children.[2]
Notes
- 1 2 Audrey Young (13 December 2007). "Peters' party group rebels over Bill". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Forbes, Stephen (30 March 2012). "Man of Integrety and Vision". Western Leader. p. 3.
- ↑ "Former Titirangi MP dies". Western Leader. Fairfax Media. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ↑ "The Portage & Waitakere Licensing Trusts". The Trusts. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ↑ Wilson 1985, p. 219.
- 1 2 "Obituaries — Hon Ralph Kerr Maxwell MBE". New Zealand House of Representatives. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ↑ Wilson 1985, p. 98.
- ↑ Adelia Ferguson (4 November 1996). "Jab at rugby match near-fatal". New Zealand Herald. p. A11.
- ↑ "No. 53894". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1994. p. 34.
References
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
| New Zealand Parliament | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Martyn Finlay |
Member of Parliament for Waitakere 1978–1987 |
Vacant Constituency abolished, recreated in 1993 Title next held by Brian Neeson |
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Titirangi 1987–1990 |
Succeeded by Marie Hasler |