Rex Kirton
New Zealand politician (1942–2024)
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Rex Stratton Kirton QSO JP (3 June 1942 – 4 June 2024) was a New Zealand local-body politician in the Wellington Region. He was mayor of Upper Hutt for 24 years until 2001, and then served three terms on the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
3 June 1942
Rex Kirton | |
|---|---|
| 10th Mayor of Upper Hutt | |
| In office 1977–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Doris Nicholson |
| Succeeded by | Wayne Guppy |
| Wellington Regional Councillor | |
| In office 2001–2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rex Stratton Kirton 3 June 1942 |
| Died | 4 June 2024 (aged 82) Upper Hutt, New Zealand |
| Relations | Earle Kirton (brother) |
Biography
Kirton was born on 3 June 1942.[1] He was educated at St Joseph's School, Upper Hutt,[2] and St Patrick's College, Silverstream from 1955 to 1959, where he was captain of the 1st XV rugby team and tennis champion.[3] He later studied at Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Otago, and worked in England as an accountant.[2]
His father, Bill, had worked in banking, then moved to Upper Hutt where he ran a general store in the 1940s, later buying farmland in Whitemans Valley[2][4] where Rex, while mayor, lived and farmed.
Kirton served as vice-president of Wellington Cricket and president of the Wellington Rugby Union.[5]
Kirton died in Upper Hutt on 4 June 2024.[6]
Local government
Kirton was first elected mayor of Upper Hutt in 1977. When he retired from this role in 2001, he was the longest-serving mayor in New Zealand at that time.[7][8][9] In 2001, Kirton stood as the Upper Hutt representative on the Wellington Regional Council. He served three terms until 2010 when he was beaten by Paul Swain.[10] In 2007, he had been returned unopposed.[11] He was chairman of the regional council's parks, forests and utilities committee.[12]
In 1990, Kirton received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[13] In the 1997 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order, for public services.[14] Kirton Drive, the main street in the suburb of Riverstone Terraces, is named after him.[15]