Life Members
LGNZ Life Members as at 14 December 2010
John Chaffey QSO, JP (Deceased April 2006)
A former mayor of Hurunui District Council, John served several terms as the Rural Sector Representative on the New Zealand Local Government Association's National Council. He was elected to this position in 1995, 1996 and again in1999. John was a member of several committees including the Roading and Transport Committee and the Emergency Management Group. Later he chaired the LGNZ Roading and Transport Committee. John was awarded Life Membership of LGNZ in 2002.
Geoff Geering QSO, JP
Geoff is a former mayor of Ashburton District Council, having served continuously for 18 years. He was the last President of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, serving from 1987 to1988 and was an inaugural Vice President of the New Zealand Local Government Association. He was elected as President in 1990, finishing his term in 1993. Geoff was awarded Life Membership of the New Zealand Local Government Association in 1994.
Sir Ross Jansen (Deceased December 2010)
Sir Ross was a former mayor of Hamilton serving from 1977 to 1989. He was President of the Municipal Association from 1984 to 1987 and became President of the New Zealand Local Government Association from 1988 until 1990. He was awarded Life Membership of the New Zealand Local Government Association in 1990. Sir Ross later became chairman of the Local Government Commission in (1998–2001).
Stuart Macaskill
A former chairman of Wellington Regional Council (1989 until 2001), Stuart served as chair of the New Zealand Catchment Authority Association in 1989 and was chair of the New Zealand Regional Government Association from 1989 until 1990. Stuart became President of the New Zealand Local Government Association in 1993 until 1996 and was awarded Life Membership of LGNZ in 1996.
Kerry Marshall
Kerry is a former mayor of Tasman District Council and prior to that, Richmond Borough Council. He served a term as President of LGNZ (1996-1999). He was also a chairman of the Conservation Authority. Kerry was appointed a member of the Local Government Commission in 2001 until 2005. He was awarded Life Membership of LGNZ in 1999.
Sir Gordon Mason OBE, JP (Deceased July 2010)
Sir Gordon was a former chairman of Rodney County Council and a former mayor of Rodney District Council, he served continuously from 1960 until 1992. Sir Gordon was President of the New Zealand Counties Association from 1984 to 1987. Alongside Sir Ross Jansen, Sir Gordon, was instrumental in merging the New Zealand Counties Association and the Municipal Association to form the New Zealand Local Government Association in 1988. Sir Gordon was awarded Life Membership of the New Zealand Local Government Association in 1994.
Basil Morrison CNZM, JP
Basil's local government career began when he was elected to Ohinemuri County in 1971 at the age of 24. He served on the body, latterly as County Chairman, till it was amalgamated and reformed as Hauraki District in 1989. In the same year he was elected mayor of Hauraki District and held the position until his retirement in 2004. At that time he was awarded the Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit. He is a former chair of the Commonweath Local Government Forum and was President of LGNZ from 2000-2008. He was awarded Life Membership of LGNZ in 2009.
Don Riesterer
A former mayor of Opotiki District Council, Don served as a National Councillor for three terms as a Zone 2 representative and was elected Vice President of the New Zealand Local Government Association from 1993-1995 and again in 1996. Don served on many New Zealand Local Government Association committees and was chair of the Nga Matakokiri Committee. Don was awarded Life Membership of LGNZ in 2002.
Ken Thomas QSO, JP
A former mayor of Matamata–Piako District Council, Ken has served local government since 1959. He was elected as Vice President and then President of the Counties Association in 1987 until 1988. He represented Zone 2 on the New Zealand Local Government Association’s National Council for many years and also served a term as Vice President of the Association (1988-1990). Ken was awarded Life Membership of LGNZ in 2001.
Last updated: April 2011
