Ian Lawrence (mayor)
Ian Lawrence | |
---|---|
29th Mayor of Wellington | |
In office 1983–1986 | |
Deputy | Gavin Wilson |
Preceded by | Michael Fowler |
Succeeded by | Jim Belich |
Personal details | |
Born | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 29 December 1937
Died | 8 March 2019 Jerusalem | (aged 81)
Citizenship | New Zealander |
Spouse | Sandra Lawrence |
Children | 5 |
Alma mater | University of Sydney Victoria University |
Profession | Lawyer |
Signature | |
Ian William Lawrence CBE (29 December 1937 – 8 March 2019) was an Australian-born New Zealand lawyer, who served as the Mayor of Wellington from 1983 to 1986.
Early life
Lawrence was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 29 December 1937.[2] As a youth, Lawrence and his parents moved to Wellington. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts.[3] He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School before proceeding to study law at the University of Sydney before moving to Wellington with his parents and continuing his education at Victoria University College, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Laws.[4] He practiced law independently and later became Chairman of the National Housing Commission.
In 1972, Lawrence was naturalised as a New Zealand citizen.[2]
Career and politics
As a trained lawyer, Lawrence worked in several New Zealand firms. He was the senior partner at law firm Johnston & Lawrence.[5]
Lawrence was elected as a Wellington City Councillor on a Citizens' ticket in 1971. He remained a councillor until 1983 when he was elected Mayor, replacing the retiring Sir Michael Fowler. His last term as a councillor (1980–83) he also served as Deputy Mayor.[3] Lawrence spent much time attracting major events to Wellington; he brought the Nissan Mobil 500 street car race and established New Zealand Festival.[6][7] Lawrence served one term as Mayor until he was defeated by Labour's Jim Belich in 1986. He later served as a Wellington Regional Councillor.
For many years he was Chairman of the Jewish Community Centre which together with the Synagogue became the hub of Jewish life.
Later life
In the 1992 New Year Honours, Lawrence was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to local government and the community.[8] He also served a spell as the President of the Wellington Rotary Club.[3] He moved to Jerusalem in 2014 and died there on 8 March 2019.[9]
Personal life
Lawrence was married with five children. His wife died less than one year before he did.[citation needed]
References
- ^ David Geffen (22 September 2016). "Getting to know Ian Lawrence". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
- ^ a b "New Zealand, naturalisations, 1843–1981". Ancestry.com Operations. 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ a b c Lauretta Ah Sam (December 2011 – February 2012). "Ian Lawrence". Rotary Club of Wellington. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "NZ university graduates 1871–1960: L". shadowsoftime. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
- ^ "Ian Lawrence z"l".
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Julie, Iles (10 March 2019). "Former mayor of Wellington Ian Lawrence dies". The Dominion Post.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Past Mayors of Wellington". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ London Gazette (supplement), No. 52768, 30 December 1991. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ "Former mayor of Wellington Ian Lawrence dies". Retrieved 10 March 2019.
External links
- 1937 births
- 2019 deaths
- Mayors of Wellington
- Deputy Mayors of Wellington
- Wellington City Councillors
- New Zealand lawyers
- Australian emigrants to New Zealand
- New Zealand Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- People educated at North Sydney Boys High School
- Wellington regional councillors
- Jewish New Zealand politicians
- Naturalised citizens of New Zealand