Thomas Mackenzie

Sir Thomas Mackenzie GCMG (10 March 1854–14 February 1930) was a Scottish-born New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London. Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh. His family emigrated to New Zealand in 1858 when he was four and MacKenzie was educated at Green Island School and at the Stone School, both in Dunedin. He tried his hand at surveying, farming and commerce and was elected to the New Zealand Parliament for Clutha in 1887. He resigned in 1896 to assess the British markets for New Zealand products and remained in his native land for three years. On his return to New Zealand he was elected to Parliament successively for Waihemo, Waikouaiti, Taieri and Egmont, never losing an election. Mackenzie was also a notable explorer. He was a member of expeditions to the Tautuku Forest (1883), the wild country between Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau (1888; discovered the Sutherland Falls), and the Matterhorn Mountains (1888; discovered a pass between Lake Manapouri and Hall's Arm). He was the first person to try and map an overland route to Dusky Sound (1894–1896). He crossed the land between Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu in 1907. In January 1909 he was appointed Minister of Industries and Commerce, Tourist and Health Resorts, Scenery Preservation and State Forestry Departments in the government of Sir Joseph Ward. In May he also became Minister of Agriculture with a seat in the Cabinet. He was then successively Minister of Customs, Minister of Education and Postmaster-General. In May 1912 he succeeded Ward as Prime Minister and also served as Minister of Lands. However, in July 1912 he lost a vote of no confidence and was appointed High Commissioner in London. He served in this role until 1920 and was New Zealand delegate at the peace conferences with Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey in 1919 and a member of the Dardanelles Commission. In March 1921 he was appointed member of the New Zealand Legislative Council for Otago. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1916 and promoted to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in 1920.

See also

• First Liberal Government of New Zealand

References

• Obituary, The Times, 15 February 1930

External links

• Page on Thomas Mackenzie at New Zealand Prime Minister Website
• Biography in 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
• Dusky Track, New Zealand

 

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Preceded by: Joseph Ward	(1912)	Succeeded by: William Massey
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