Hamish Hay
Encyclopedia
Sir Hamish Grenfell Hay (8 December 1927 – 7 September 2008) was a New Zealand politician, who served as Mayor of Christchurch
for fifteen years, from 1974 to 1989.
from 1940 to 1944, and became an accounting clerk in 1945. In 1947, he joined the staff of Hay's, a department store, which was originally founded by his father and later became a publicly listed company. He became deputy managing director of the company in 1962, a position he held until 1974, when Hay's Ltd was merged with Wright Stephenson & Co. Sir Hamish retired from his business interests when he became the Mayor of Christchurch.
In 1955, Sir Hamish married Judith Gill. Together they had five children.
. Topping the poll, he went on to serve as a councillor for five consecutive terms. Like his father, he was a strong proponent of a town hall (as a performing arts centre) for Christchurch. He had been involved in the 'Town Hall Promotion' lobbying organisation, serving as the chairman of its finance committee from 1958. After his election as a Councillor, he continued to press for a town hall, and was instrumental in achieving that goal, eventually chairing the Town Hall Committee, which oversaw the construction of the Christchurch Town Hall
, which opened in 1972.
He stood for mayor in the elections of 1974, defeating Labour
incumbent Neville Pickering
. He went on to become Christchurch's longest serving mayor, holding the position for five consecutive terms. During his first term, Christchurch hosted the 1974 Commonwealth Games. He was made a Knight Bachelor
in 1982.
Sir Hamish retired as Mayor in 1989 for health reasons. He was succeeded by Vicki Buck
.
In 1995, Sir Hamish returned to the political scene, representing Christchurch North on the Canterbury Regional Council
until 2001.
Sir Hamish served for some years as chairman of the New Zealand Museums Trust, which oversaw the construction of New Zealand's national museum Te Papa
, and as deputy chairman of the Charles Upham Trust.
. He died in 2008, aged 80.
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
for fifteen years, from 1974 to 1989.
Early life
One of four children of philanthropist Sir James Hay, Sir Hamish was educated at St Andrew's CollegeSt Andrew's College, Christchurch
St. Andrew's College Christchurch, New Zealand is a private, co-educational school that enrolls from Pre School-Year 13. It was founded in 1917 and it is the only independent, co-educational primary and secondary school in New Zealand's South Island. Although now a fully co-educational school, it...
from 1940 to 1944, and became an accounting clerk in 1945. In 1947, he joined the staff of Hay's, a department store, which was originally founded by his father and later became a publicly listed company. He became deputy managing director of the company in 1962, a position he held until 1974, when Hay's Ltd was merged with Wright Stephenson & Co. Sir Hamish retired from his business interests when he became the Mayor of Christchurch.
In 1955, Sir Hamish married Judith Gill. Together they had five children.
Political career
Sir Hamish entered local politics in 1959, when he stood as a candidate for the Christchurch City CouncilChristchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
. Topping the poll, he went on to serve as a councillor for five consecutive terms. Like his father, he was a strong proponent of a town hall (as a performing arts centre) for Christchurch. He had been involved in the 'Town Hall Promotion' lobbying organisation, serving as the chairman of its finance committee from 1958. After his election as a Councillor, he continued to press for a town hall, and was instrumental in achieving that goal, eventually chairing the Town Hall Committee, which oversaw the construction of the Christchurch Town Hall
Christchurch Town Hall
The Christchurch Town Hall, since 2007 formally known as the Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts, opened in 1972, is Christchurch's premier performing arts centre. It is located in the central city on the banks of the Avon River overlooking Victoria Square. It is situated opposite the...
, which opened in 1972.
He stood for mayor in the elections of 1974, defeating Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
incumbent Neville Pickering
Neville Pickering
Neville George Pickering was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.He won the 1957 election in the St Albans electorate in 1957...
. He went on to become Christchurch's longest serving mayor, holding the position for five consecutive terms. During his first term, Christchurch hosted the 1974 Commonwealth Games. He was made a Knight Bachelor
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1982.
Sir Hamish retired as Mayor in 1989 for health reasons. He was succeeded by Vicki Buck
Vicki Buck
-Political life:Elected to the Christchurch City Council in 1975 at the age of 19, she became the city's first woman mayor fourteen years later.She began her political career as a member of the Labour Party, but stood for mayor as an independent. An active and vigorous leader, she is widely...
.
In 1995, Sir Hamish returned to the political scene, representing Christchurch North on the Canterbury Regional Council
Canterbury Regional Council
Canterbury Regional Council is the regional council for Canterbury, the largest region in the South Island of New Zealand. It is part of New Zealand's structure of local government...
until 2001.
Sir Hamish served for some years as chairman of the New Zealand Museums Trust, which oversaw the construction of New Zealand's national museum Te Papa
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington. It is branded and commonly known as Te Papa and Our Place; "Te Papa Tongarewa" is broadly translatable as "the place of treasures of this land".The museum's principles...
, and as deputy chairman of the Charles Upham Trust.
Later life
Having retired from public office in 2001, Sir Hamish began suffering from Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. He died in 2008, aged 80.