16 Facts About Peter Skellerup

Peter Jensen Reid Skellerup was a New Zealand industrialist and philanthropist.

Peter Skellerup's father was George Skellerup, founder of rubber manufacturing company Skellerup Industries.

Peter Skellerup's father was born in Australia but the family stemmed from Denmark, with his father's birth name including a silent "j" that he dropped from the name at some point.

Peter Skellerup saw service in World War II with the 37th Battalion of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Solomon Islands fighting against Japan.

Peter Skellerup took over as joint managing director in 1955 upon his father's death alongside his brother Valdemar.

Peter Skellerup was first elected to Christchurch City Council in 1958 and served almost continuously until 1980.

Peter Skellerup, standing for the conservative Citizens' ticket, came forth and was thus elected.

In 1968, Peter Skellerup stood for council only and came second.

Peter Skellerup had breached the Local Authorities Act 1968.

Peter Skellerup had never been fond of Guthrey and as a past chairman of the Parks and Reserves Committee, he was extremely annoyed by Guthrey going behind his back and announcing the road proposal without checking with him first.

At the election, Guthrey was defeated, Labour gained a majority on the city council, but Peter Skellerup was the highest-polling council candidate by a large margin.

The Citizens' ticket gained a majority on the city council and from 1974 to 1980, Peter Skellerup was deputy-mayor to Hay.

Peter Skellerup was a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for twelve years, for three of those he was the chairman.

Peter Skellerup sponsored the Antarctic wing at Canterbury Museum and to recognise his contribution, Peter Skellerup Glacier in New Zealand's Ross Dependency in Antarctica was named for him.

Peter Skellerup died in Christchurch on 15 May 2006, and was buried at Ruru Lawn Cemetery.

Peter Skellerup was survived by the four children from his first marriage.