33 Facts About Arthur Faulkner

Arthur James Faulkner was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Arthur Faulkner was educated at Takanini School then Otahuhu District High School and after finishing his education he found employment as a sales clerk.

At the outbreak of World War II Arthur Faulkner joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and became a fighter pilot.

Arthur Faulkner saw action in both Europe and North Africa flying a Supermarine Spitfire.

Arthur Faulkner showed his prowess as a fighter pilot by being the first Allied pilot to land at Anzio, Italy, when Allied forces fought their way ashore during Operation Shingle.

Arthur Faulkner stood unsuccessfully for the Franklin electorate in 1951 and the North Shore electorate in 1954.

Arthur Faulkner then stood for and won the Roskill electorate in 1957, and held the seat to 1981, when he retired.

Arthur Faulkner was a backbencher during the government of Walter Nash before spending 12 years in opposition.

Arthur Faulkner was particularly critical of New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War.

Arthur Faulkner was beaten by the incumbent Hugh Watt by 24 votes to 8 with Norman Douglas receiving 2 votes.

Arthur Faulkner was a Cabinet Minister, and was appointed by Kirk as Minister of Defence from 1972 to 1974 in the Third Labour Government.

Arthur Faulkner strongly opposed New Zealand having sporting contact with South Africa during the Apartheid period and argued that the proposed 1973 Springbok tour should be cancelled.

Arthur Faulkner told cabinet that he would resign rather than instruct troops to combat protesting civilians and that in any case the military was not trained to assist police in preserving civil order.

Arthur Faulkner was briefly Minister of Works from August to September 1974.

Arthur Faulkner was often called to serve in an acting role in other portfolios including lands, education, island affairs, agriculture and fisheries.

Arthur Faulkner was particularly noted for his success in education and lands where he initiated the governments Ohu scheme of work groups for alternative communities in rural areas.

Arthur Faulkner stood a second time for deputy to Bill Rowling in 1974 following the death of Kirk.

Arthur Faulkner was popular in caucus due to his amiable personality, but both chief whip Ron Barclay and senior minister Warren Freer saw him as indecisive and not leadership material.

Arthur Faulkner's critics suggested he was too ready to agree with all points of view but settle for none, whilst others thought he was skilled at reaching amicable agreements that never fully conceded to one side while still satisfying all parties.

Arthur Faulkner was President of the party for three years until he stepped down and was succeeded by Jim Anderton, who had been defeated by Faulkner at the 1978 conference 693 votes to 422 for the presidency.

In opposition again, Arthur Faulkner was appointed Shadow Minister of Labour and Employment by Rowling.

Arthur Faulkner ran against first-time National Party politician John Banks in 1978.

Banks believed Arthur Faulkner could be defeated, due to his narrow majority in 1975 and the newly redrawn electorate borders of Roskill, and campaigned full-time against him.

Arthur Faulkner was successful in retaining his seat, however Labour was defeated again in 1978.

Arthur Faulkner was made the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, and in 1979 suffered health issues related to a gallstone.

Arthur Faulkner was absent from Parliament for over a month and was relieved of some minor portfolio responsibilities by Rowling to ease his recovery.

Arthur Faulkner came under increasing pressure to retire, primarily due to his age.

Arthur Faulkner reluctantly decided not to stand again ahead of the 1981 election.

Arthur Faulkner clarified the late announcement by stating that he didn't want to give political opponents any indication to gear up their preparations to contest the seat.

Arthur Faulkner's final act in Parliament was to move the Gleneagles Agreement Bill which appropriately reflected his career long opposition to Apartheid.

Arthur Faulkner died on 15 May 1985 at his home in Auckland, aged 63.

Arthur Faulkner was survived by his wife and five children.

Arthur Faulkner married May Cox in 1945, and they had 2 sons and 3 daughters.