Fraser Colman
Encyclopedia
Fraser MacDonald Colman QSO
(1925 – 11 April 2008) was a New Zealand
politician of the Labour Party
.
He represented the electorates of Petone
from 1967
to 1978
, and then when Petone was renamed, Pencarrow
from 1978
to 1987
, when he retired. He was replaced in Pencarrow by Sonya Davies.
on 23 February 1925, one of 5 children. He attended primary school in Wellington before his family moved to Paraparaumu, where he went to Horowhenua College.
Upon leaving school he found employment as a boilermaker at the firm of William Cables.
He soon became active in the union movement, becoming a shop steward. He joined the Labour party organising and distributing pamphlets and writing for the Labour Party newspaper, The Southern Cross.
Minister in the Second Labour Government of New Zealand
. In the cabinet of Norman Kirk
he held the positions of Minister of Mines, Minister of Immigration, associate Minister of Labour, associate Minister of Works.
In the cabinet of Bill Rowling he held the posts of Minister of Mines, Minister of Immigration
and Postmaster General.
Following the defeat of the Labour Party he held the position of Opposition Spokesman on Energy.
frigate to protest against French nuclear testing on Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. It was decided that a cabinet minister should accompany the frigate to demonstrate the seriousness of the New Zealand government’s position. Norman Kirk put all the Cabinet ministers' names into a hat and drew out the name of Colman. He departed from Auckland on 25 June aboard the Otago, which reached Mururoa a month later where he witnessed the first atmospheric test. Colman transferred to the Canterbury when it arrived to relieve the Otago on 25 July, from which he witnessed the second French atmospheric test. See New Zealand's nuclear-free zone
.
. He was subsequently appointed as chairman of the New Zealand Fire Service Council for a three year term.
He had a stroke in 1991. Another stroke in 1999 removed his ability to speak.
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
(1925 – 11 April 2008) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician of the Labour Party
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....
.
He represented the electorates of Petone
Petone (New Zealand electorate)
Petone is a former Parliamentary electorate in the lower Hutt Valley of New Zealand, from 1946 to 1978.-Population centres:The electorate is based on the southern part of the city of Lower Hutt.-History:Petone electorate existed from 1946...
from 1967
New Zealand general election, 1966
The 1966 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 35th term. It saw the governing National Party win a third consecutive term in office...
to 1978
New Zealand general election, 1978
The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote...
, and then when Petone was renamed, Pencarrow
Pencarrow (New Zealand electorate)
Pencarrow is a former Parliamentary electorate in the lower Hutt Valley of New Zealand, from 1978 to 1996.-Population centres:The electorate is based on the southern part of the city of Lower Hutt.-History:...
from 1978
New Zealand general election, 1978
The 1978 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to elect the 39th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Robert Muldoon, retain office, although the opposition Labour Party managed to win the largest share of the vote...
to 1987
New Zealand general election, 1987
The 1987 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 43rd sitting of the New Zealand Parliament. The governing New Zealand Labour Party, led by Prime Minister David Lange, was re-elected for a second term, although the Opposition National Party made gains...
, when he retired. He was replaced in Pencarrow by Sonya Davies.
Early life
Colman was born in WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
on 23 February 1925, one of 5 children. He attended primary school in Wellington before his family moved to Paraparaumu, where he went to Horowhenua College.
Upon leaving school he found employment as a boilermaker at the firm of William Cables.
He soon became active in the union movement, becoming a shop steward. He joined the Labour party organising and distributing pamphlets and writing for the Labour Party newspaper, The Southern Cross.
Early Political Career
He served as campaign manager for Henry May in the Onslow seat in 1954. In 1955 he became assistant general secretary of the Labour Party. He held the position until he was persuaded to stand for Labour in the by-election for the Petone electorate in April 1967 following the death in office of Michael Moohan, its existing MP.Second Labour Government
He was a CabinetNew Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
Minister in the Second Labour Government of New Zealand
Second Labour Government of New Zealand
The Second Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1957 to 1960. It was most notable for raising taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and petrol, a move which was probably responsible for the government lasting for only one term....
. In the cabinet of Norman Kirk
Norman Kirk
Norman Eric Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. He led the Parliamentary wing of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He was the fourth Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, but the first to be born in New Zealand...
he held the positions of Minister of Mines, Minister of Immigration, associate Minister of Labour, associate Minister of Works.
In the cabinet of Bill Rowling he held the posts of Minister of Mines, Minister of Immigration
and Postmaster General.
Following the defeat of the Labour Party he held the position of Opposition Spokesman on Energy.
Mururoa
In 1973 when government decided to dispatch a Royal New Zealand NavyRoyal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
frigate to protest against French nuclear testing on Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. It was decided that a cabinet minister should accompany the frigate to demonstrate the seriousness of the New Zealand government’s position. Norman Kirk put all the Cabinet ministers' names into a hat and drew out the name of Colman. He departed from Auckland on 25 June aboard the Otago, which reached Mururoa a month later where he witnessed the first atmospheric test. Colman transferred to the Canterbury when it arrived to relieve the Otago on 25 July, from which he witnessed the second French atmospheric test. See New Zealand's nuclear-free zone
New Zealand's nuclear-free zone
In 1984, Prime Minister David Lange barred nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships from using New Zealand ports or entering New Zealand waters. Under the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987, territorial sea, land and airspace of New Zealand became nuclear-free zones...
.
Fourth Labour Government
In the fourth Labour Government he again served as a cabinet minister holding the posts of Minister of Works and Development, Minister in Charge of the Earthquake and War Damages Commission, Associate Minister of Energy.Life after politics
Colman retired from Parliament at the 1987 electionNew Zealand general election, 1987
The 1987 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 43rd sitting of the New Zealand Parliament. The governing New Zealand Labour Party, led by Prime Minister David Lange, was re-elected for a second term, although the Opposition National Party made gains...
. He was subsequently appointed as chairman of the New Zealand Fire Service Council for a three year term.
Private life
He married Noeline Allen in 1958 after first meeting her in 1954. They moved to Wainuiomata in 1959, where they built a home and spent the remainder of their life there. They had 4 children, Acacia, Ann, Lynda and Jeanette.He had a stroke in 1991. Another stroke in 1999 removed his ability to speak.
Decorations, Awards and Memberships
- Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy CouncilPrivy Council of the United KingdomHer Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
. 1986. - Queen's Service OrderQueen's Service OrderThe Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
- Life member of the Wellington Rugby League Club.
- Fraser Colman Grove, a street in Wainuiomata is named after him.