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The following Dictionary of New Zealand Biography essays are available online at www.dnzb.govt.nz.
Algie,
Ronald Macmillan 1888 - 1978
Professor of law, National MP 1943-66, Speaker of House of Representatives
1961-6, influential in constitutional and procedural matters.
Arthur,
Basil Malcolm 1928 - 1985
Labourer, trade unionist, Labour MP 1962-85, Speaker of House of Representatives
1984-5.
Barnard,
William Edward 1886 - 1958
Lawyer, Labour MP 1928-43, Speaker of House of Representatives 1936-43.
Bell,
Francis Dillon 1822 - 1898
Public administrator, runholder, MP 1855-6, 1859-75, Member of Legislative
Council 1854-6, 1877-80, Speaker of House of Representatives 1871-5.
Clifford,
Charles 1813 - 1893
Pastoralist, businessman, MP 1853-60, first Speaker of House of Representatives
1854-60.
Fitzherbert,
William 1810 - 1891
Merchant, provincial superintendent, MP 1855-8, 1858-79, Speaker of House
of Representatives 1876-9, and of Legislative Council 1879-87.
Macfarlane,
Robert Mafeking 1900 - 1981
Driver, trade unionist, Labour MP 1939-69, Speaker of House of Representatives
1957-60.
Monro,
David 1813 - 1877
Doctor, MP 1853-5, 1858-71, 1872-3, Speaker of House of Representatives
1861-70, developed procedures for the House.
Oram,
Matthew Henry 1885 - 1969
Lawyer, aviation promoter, National MP 1943-57, Speaker of House of Representatives
1950-7.
O'Rorke,
George Maurice 1830 - 1916
Lawyer, educationalist, MP 1861-90, 1893-1902, Member of Legislative Council
1904-16, Speaker of House of Representatives 1879-90, 1894-1902; exercised
firm control and brought Speakership into modern, impartial role.
Statham,
Charles Ernest 1875 - 1946
Lawyer, MP 1911-35, first New Zealand-born, longstanding Speaker of House
of Representatives 1923-35.
Carleton,
Hugh Francis 1810 - 1890
Trader, newspaper editor, educationalist, writer, MP 1853-70; longstanding
Chairman of Committees and known as 'Father of the House' as first member
elected in 1853.
Domett,
Alfred 1811 - 1887
Journalist, public servant, writer, MP 1855-66, Premier 1862-3 and promoter
of the Parliamentary Library.
Fox,
William 1812? - 1893
Explorer, painter, social reformer, MP 1855-65, 1868-75, 1876-9, 1880-1,
Premier 1856, 1861-2, 1869-72, 1873; Opposition politician par excellence
and foil for Edward Stafford.
Fraser,
Peter 1884 - 1950
Labourer, trade unionist, journalist, Labour MP 1918-50, Prime Minister
1940-9 and eminent parliamentarian.
Grey,
George 1812 - 1898
Soldier, explorer, Governor, scholar, MP 1875-6, 1876-9, 1881-90, 1891-5,
Premier 1877-9; critical to the emergence of representative government.
Holyoake,
Keith Jacka 1904 - 1983
Farmer, orchardist, National MP 1932-8, 1943-77, Prime Minister, 1957, 1960-72,
Governor-General 1977-80.
Lee,
John Alfred Alexander 1891 - 1982
Criminal, swagger, soldier, hotel-keeper, writer, bookseller, charismatic
MP 1922-8, 1931-43, who broke with the Labour Party.
McKenzie,
John 1839 - 1901
Farmer, political reformer, Liberal MP 1881-1900.
Seddon,
Richard John 1845 - 1906
MP 1879-1906, Premier 1893-1906; noted for asserting power of executive.
Sewell,
Henry 1807 - 1879
Lawyer, administrator, MP 1853-6, 1860, 1865-6, Member of Legislative Council
1861-5, 1870-3, Premier 1856; produced fascinating record of the early sessions
of Parliament.
Sheehan,
John 1844 - 1885
Lawyer, MP 1872-84, 1885; first New Zealand-born MP who experienced a meteoric
rise and equally rapid fall.
Sidey,
Thomas Kay 1863 - 1933
Lawyer, Liberal MP 1901-28, Member Legislative Council 1928-33, noted for
his private member's bills.
Stafford, Edward William 1819 - 1901
Runholder, provincial superintendent, sportsman, MP 1855-68, 1868-78, pragmatic politician and successful Premier 1856-61, 1865-9, 1872.
Wakefield,
Edward Gibbon 1796 - 1862
Political theorist, colonial promoter, MP 1853-5, and key participant in
the events of the first session of Parliament, 1854.
Carroll, James 1857 - 1926
Ngati Kahungunu; farm worker, interpreter, Liberal MP 1887-1919; key figure
in bridging Maori and Pakeha political worlds.
Ngata,
Apirana Turupa 1874 - 1950
Ngati Porou leader, land reformer, scholar, Liberal/United/National MP 1905-43;
noted member of the 'Young Maori Party'.
Pomare,
Maui Wiremu Piti Naera 1875/1876? - 1930
Ngati Mutunga and Ngati Toa; medical officer, Maori health reformer, Reform
and 'Young Maori Party' MP 1911-30.
Te
Rangi Paetahi, Mete Kingi ? - 1883
Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi leader, soldier, assessor, farmer; one of the
first four Maori MPs, 1868-70.
Tirikatene,
Eruera Tihema Te Aika 1895 - 1967
Ngai Tahu; farmer, marine engineer, Ratana leader, Ratana/Labour MP 1932-67.
Howard,
Mabel Bowden 1894 - 1972
Trade unionist, community worker, notable and eccentric Labour MP 1943-69.
McCombs,
Elizabeth Reid 1873 - 1935
Socialist, social worker, first women MP 1933-5, elected for Labour.
Ratana,
Iriaka Matiu 1905 - 1981
Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi; entertainer, farmer, Ratana leader, first Maori
female MP 1949-69, elected for Labour.
Ross,
Grace Hilda Cuthberta 1883 - 1959
Music teacher, welfare worker, community leader, National female MP 1945-59.
Scholefield,
Guy Hardy 1877 - 1963
Parliamentary librarian 1926-48, historian, archivist, compiler of Dictionary
of New Zealand Biography (1940).
The Prime Minister's site has biographies of former Prime Ministers.
The Speaker's Office site has biographies of former Speakers.