10 Facts About Richard Walls

Richard Walls was the first National MP to represent a significant portion of Dunedin, a long-standing Labour stronghold, in 21 years.

Richard Walls was defeated after only one term by Labour's Stan Rodger; to date, he is the last National MP to represent Dunedin.

Richard Walls made the initial five person shortlist, but after being hospitalised suddenly, he was too ill to travel to Auckland for the selection meeting.

Richard Walls was first elected onto Dunedin City Council in 1980.

Richard Walls was Mayor of Dunedin for two terms from 1989 to 1995, when he was defeated by Sukhi Turner.

Richard Walls was re-elected to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor in 1998.

Richard Walls remained a city councillor until 2010 and was chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee from 2007 to 2010.

In 2010 Richard Walls was chairman of Dunedin International Airport Limited; a fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand and a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management.

Richard Walls was a justice of the peace and was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services in the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Richard Walls died suddenly in his Dunedin home on 30 October 2011 at the age of 74, and is survived by his wife June and three children.