17 Facts About Neville Pickering

Neville Pickering was educated at Hamilton Technical College where he was keen sportsman.

Neville Pickering married Alexia Pickering, who would become a notable disability advocate.

Neville Pickering was vice-president of the South Canterbury Rugby Referees' Association.

From 1950 to 1952 Pickering was the business manager of the Grey River Argus, a Labour newspaper in Greymouth before leaving for Wellington in 1953 to become an assistant research officer at Labour's head office.

Neville Pickering settled in the electorate nonetheless to work for the Prudential life insurance company in Timaru.

Neville Pickering was defeated in the 1960 election by Bert Walker.

Neville Pickering was later a contender for the Labour nomination at the 1962 Buller by-election, though lost the nomination race to Bill Rowling.

Neville Pickering declared his intention to seek the Labour nomination at the 1962 Timaru by-election after Clyde Carr announced his resignation.

Neville Pickering later reconsidered after receiving "overwhelming representations" from various union and party members urging him to seek nomination.

In October 1962, Neville Pickering was elected a member of the Christchurch City Council.

Neville Pickering served for nine years as a councillor before he was elected Mayor of Christchurch in 1971.

In 1972, Neville Pickering boycotted an Anzac Day wreath-laying at Cathedral Square, protesting against the Returned Services' Association's restrictions on who could lay wreaths.

Neville Pickering fulfilled an election pledge to leave Hagley Park untouched and build a purpose built facility for the games athletic events, which resulted in the construction of Queen Elizabeth II Park.

Neville Pickering insisted on the construction of a permanent facility for the city to have after the games' completion.

In recognition to his contribution to the games, Neville Pickering was given the honorary title of "President of the Tenth Commonwealth Games".

Neville Pickering actually increased his vote share, but overall the increased voter turnout favoured Hay leading The Press to state the result was out of increased interest rather than a swing of public opinion.

Neville Pickering died on 25 June 1988 and is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch.