Mackenzie, Thomas Noble
Mackenzie, Thomas Noble (1853–1930)
A New Zealand politician, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, who immigrated to New Zealand in 1858. Serving on the Balclutha Borough Council from 1881–7, he became a Member of Parliament for Clutha in 1887, the first of several electorates he represented during his time in parliament. After four years out of politics he returned to parliament in 1900. Upon Joseph Ward’s resignation as Prime Minister in 1912 Mackenzie was chosen as his successor and served in that role until the election of the Reform government later that year. He served as New Zealand High Commissioner to London during World War I, was knighted in 1916, and became the first New Zealander to be appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in 1920. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1921 and again in 1928. An enthusiastic explorer of some of New Zealand’s more remote native bush, Mackenzie was an advocate for the preservation of bush reserves. His greatest legacy is his promotion of conservation in New Zealand.
