17 Facts About Roderick McKenzie

Roderick McKenzie was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Buller and Motueka, in the South Island.

Roderick McKenzie was educated at the Glasgow Academy and became a builder by trade.

Roderick McKenzie then began two years of employment with the London and Glasgow Engineering and Ironship Building Company before deciding to move to Canada.

Roderick McKenzie did not reside there long before emigrating to New Zealand in 1869.

Roderick McKenzie sailed on the ship City of Dunedin and after arriving in Otago he became a miner.

Roderick McKenzie was involved in building infrastructure in the area.

Roderick McKenzie's projects included construction of the Westport Staiths at a cost of 22,000 pounds, the railway bridge at Arahura, laying rails to Hokitika and years later the Jervois Quay wharf in Wellington.

Roderick McKenzie became involved in community affairs on the West Coast.

Roderick McKenzie was elected a member of the Westport Harbour Board, Nelson Harbour Board and Kumara Hospital Board.

Roderick McKenzie was the MP for Buller between 1893 and 1896 and the MP for Motueka from 1896 to 1914.

Roderick McKenzie was a "strong supporter of the Seddon administration".

Roderick McKenzie was Chairman of Committees from 1906 to 1908.

Roderick McKenzie was Minister of Public Works, Minister of Customs and Minister of Mines from 1909 to 1912 under Sir Joseph Ward.

However, in 1912 Roderick McKenzie would have nothing to do with Thomas Mackenzie's Liberal Ministry stating that: John Millar should have been prime minister, Mackenzie's ministers were political novices and had forsaken their liberal principles.

In 1932, when he was 80 years old, Roderick McKenzie contested the Motueka seat at the by-election following the death of George Black.

Roderick McKenzie was a prominent member of the West Coast Association.

Roderick McKenzie died on 9 October 1934 in Wellington aged 82.