25 Facts About Stan Whitehead

Sir Stanley Austin Whitehead was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Stan Whitehead was the eighteenth Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976, and Member of Parliament for the Nelson electorate from 1957 to 1976.

Stan Whitehead was brought up in the mining town of Waiuta, and left school at the age of 14 to enter work as a saw miller.

Stan Whitehead was an active sportsman in his youth competed in axemen's events.

Stan Whitehead played rugby league for Inangahua and Blackball on the West Coast as a five-eighth.

Stan Whitehead later was a referee and controlled provincial matches.

Stan Whitehead moved to Nelson and worked for Transport Nelson.

Stan Whitehead was on the Auckland Point school committee and was the president of the parent teacher association.

Stan Whitehead was on the council of the Nelson Polytechnic.

Stan Whitehead was an active trade unionist and was a member of the Nelson Trades Council for over 20 years.

Stan Whitehead was on multiple school boards including over 20 years on the Board of Governors of Nelson College.

Stan Whitehead gave up most sporting participation with age but took up playing bowls which became his favourite form of relaxation.

Stan Whitehead was first elected to Parliament in the 1957 election in the Nelson electorate.

Stan Whitehead held the electorate until his death in 1976.

Stan Whitehead had contested the seat twice unsuccessfully before in 1951 and 1954.

Stan Whitehead featured along with Sonja Davies in protests over the closure of the Nelson railway line, which Davies wrote about in her book Bread and Roses, and in the television series of same name.

In 1972, Stan Whitehead was asked by Prime Minister Norman Kirk to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the Third Labour Government.

Stan Whitehead hosted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and had the duty of presiding after the death of Kirk later that year.

Stan Whitehead stated that his time as speaker was the highlight of his career.

Stan Whitehead suffered a heart attack in the last parliamentary session of 1975.

Stan Whitehead was attending the official welcome luncheon at Port Nelson and having a drink with Captain Chatterton Dickson when he said he was "going to have a turn" then he collapsed on the deck.

Stan Whitehead was rushed to Nelson Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Stan Whitehead was awarded a civic funeral by the Nelson City Council in honour of his service to the city.

Stan Whitehead was survived by his wife and seven children.

The by-election for Stan Whitehead's seat was won by Mel Courtney, retaining the seat for Labour.