24 Facts About Jim Belich

Sir James Belich was a New Zealand local politician.

Jim Belich was the mayor of Wellington from 1986 to 1992.

Jim Belich was born on 25 July 1927, of Croat descent, in Awanui, Northland, to immigrant parents, Jakov and Marija, from the Dalmatian island of Korcula.

Jim Belich grew up bilingual, speaking Serbo-Croatian with his parents and English to both of his elder brothers.

Jim Belich helped diggers from the gumfields at the supply shop next to their house by translating for them into English to the shopkeeper.

Jim Belich received his tertiary education at the Auckland University College and Victoria University College, graduating from the latter with a Bachelor of Arts in 1955.

Jim Belich worked for the firm J Inglis Wright Advertising from 1956 to 1986.

Jim Belich had joined the Labour Party in 1954 and was involved in advertising for the party, including media training for Labour leader Norman Kirk for television appearances.

Jim Belich was the founding president of UNICEF New Zealand during which time New Zealand signed up to the United Nations treaty on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Jim Belich was president of the United Nations Association and in 1979 was chairman of the International Year of the Child, which led to the establishment of the Children's Commission.

Jim Belich belonged as well to Rotary, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Wellington Club.

Jim Belich attributed this to the lack of financial security his parents and other people in the town he grew up in had and thought Labour promised "jobs and a fair go for workers".

Jim Belich had been approached to stand for mayor in 1977 and 1980, but declined the offers for personal reasons.

In 1986 Jim Belich, supported by Wellington Central MP Fran Wilde, was chosen as Labour's candidate for mayor over regional councillor Ken Boyden and Wellington Clean Water Campaign convener John Blincoe.

Jim Belich professed that he did not intend for any personal offence.

Jim Belich was elected mayor of Wellington, despite having no previous experience as an elected official and was re-elected in 1989.

Jim Belich served on the Wellington Regional Council and Wellington Harbour Board from 1986 to 1989.

Key to Jim Belich's victory was a campaign pledge to end the practice of discharging raw sewage into the sea along the south coast of the city which sullied the sea.

Jim Belich began the process toward a newer and more environmentally sustainable sewerage system, however the years long project to build a new plant was not completed until after he retired.

Jim Belich oversaw large changes in council operations, due to the 1989 local government reforms, seeing council departments restructured to self accountable business units.

Jim Belich set up a trust to organise the infamous 'Sesqui 1990' celebrations to mark 150 years since the foundation of Wellington.

In 2008, Jim Belich was made an honorary citizen of the town that his family came from, Korcula in Dalmatia, Croatia.

In 1990, Jim Belich was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

In 1951, Jim Belich married Valerie Anzulovich, who was of Croatian descent.