Ian Lawrence (mayor)

Ian William Lawrence CBE (29 December 1937 – 8 March 2019) was an Australian-born New Zealand lawyer, who served as the Mayor of Wellington from 1983 to 1986.

Ian Lawrence CBE
Lawrence in 2012
29th Mayor of Wellington
In office 1983–1986
Deputy	Gavin Wilson
Preceded by	Michael Fowler
Succeeded by	Jim Belich
Personal details
Born	(1937-12-29)29 December 1937 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	8 March 2019(2019-03-08) (aged 81) Jerusalem
Citizenship	New Zealander
Spouse(s)	Sandra Lawrence
Children	5
Alma mater	University of Sydney Victoria University
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Early life

Lawrence was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on 29 December 1937.[1] As a youth, Lawrence and his parents moved to Wellington. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts.[2] He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School before proceeding to study law at the University of Sydney before moving to Wellington with his parents and continuing his education at Victoria University College, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Laws.[3] He practiced law independently and later became Chairman of the National Housing Commission.

In 1972, Lawrence was naturalised as a New Zealand citizen.[1]

Career and politics

As a trained lawyer, Lawrence worked in several New Zealand firms. He was the senior partner at law firm Johnston & Lawrence.[4]

Lawrence was elected as a Wellington City Councillor on a Citizens' ticket in 1971. He remained a councillor until 1983 when he was elected Mayor, replacing the retiring Sir Michael Fowler. His last term as a councillor (1980–83) he also served as Deputy Mayor.[2] Lawrence spent much time attracting major events to Wellington; he brought the Nissan Mobil 500 street car race and established New Zealand Festival.[5][6] Lawrence served one term as Mayor until he was defeated by Labour's Jim Belich in 1986. He later served as a Wellington Regional Councillor.

For many years he was Chairman of the Jewish Community Centre which together with the Synagogue became the hub of Jewish life.

Later life

In the 1992 New Year Honours, Lawrence was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to local government and the community.[7] He also served a spell as the president of the Wellington Rotary Club.[2] He moved to Jerusalem in 2014 and died there on 8 March 2019.[8]

Personal life

Lawrence was married with five children. His wife died less than one year before he did.

References

1. "New Zealand, naturalisations, 1843–1981". Ancestry.com Operations. 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
2. Lauretta Ah Sam (December 2012 – February 2012). "Ian Lawrence". Rotary Club of Wellington. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
3. "NZ university graduates 1871–1960: L". shadowsoftime. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
4. "Ian Lawrence z"l".
5. Julie, Iles (10 March 2019). "Former mayor of Wellington Ian Lawrence dies". The Dominion Post.
6. "Past Mayors of Wellington". Wellington City Council. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
7. "No. 52768". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1991. p. 29.
8. "Former mayor of Wellington Ian Lawrence dies". Retrieved 10 March 2019.

External links

• Ian Lawrence, centre, in 1984 (photo)
• Mayors of Wellington (with photos, from WCC Archives)

Political offices
Preceded by Michael Fowler	Mayor of Wellington 1983–1986	Succeeded by Jim Belich
Preceded by John Jeffries	Deputy Mayor of Wellington 1974–1983	Succeeded by Gavin Wilson