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[edit]
Maxwell was born in 1934. He married Frances Maxwell in circa 1963 and they had three children.[2]
Political career[edit]
| 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]
In 1983 he was appointed as Labour's spokesperson for Primary Industries and Horticulture by Labour leader David Lange.[7] Maxwell had a keen interest in agriculture and worked closely with Colin Moyle, who would become Minister of Agriculture in 1984.[2][8] Maxwell was the Associate Minister of External Relations and Trade and the Associate Minister of Agriculture in 1990.[6]
After parliament[edit]
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.[9]
In the 1995 New Year Honours, Maxwell was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for public services.[10] Maxwell died on 25 March 2012 aged 78. He was survived by his wife and their three children.[2]
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Audrey Young (13 December 2007). "Peters' party group rebels over Bill". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g Forbes, Stephen (30 March 2012). "Man of Integrity 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.
- ^ a b "Obituaries — Hon Ralph Kerr Maxwell MBE". New Zealand House of Representatives. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ "Labour leader allocates responsibilities". The Press. 17 March 1983. p. 3.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 98.
- ^ Ferguson, Adelia (4 November 1996). "Jab at rugby match near-fatal". The New Zealand Herald. p. A11.
- ^ "No. 53894". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1994. p. 34.