Jeremy Dwyer

Jeremy Paul Dwyer QSO JP (3 December 1947 – 11 December 2005) was a New Zealand politician. He was deputy leader of the Social Credit Political League between 1977 and 1981, and Mayor of Hastings from 1986 to 2001.

Early life and family

Dwyer was born in Waipawa on 3 December 1947, the son of Sam and Lillian Dwyer, and educated at Central Hawke's Bay College.[1][2] He studied at Ardmore Teachers' Training College, gaining a Diploma of Teaching in 1969 and TTC in 1971.[1]

In 1983, Dwyer married Marilyn Eva McKay, and the couple had one son.[1]

Teaching career

Dwyer was a teacher and head of department of history and social studies at Te Aute College from 1972 to 1976.[1] He was a member of the board of governors of Te Aute College from 1976 until 1989, including a term as chair of the board between 1979 and 1981.[1]

Political career

Social Credit

Dwyer was an activist in the Social Credit Political League, and was deputy leader of the League from 1977 to 1981.[1] He stood as a parliamentary candidate for the League three times, coming third each time: at the 1972 election for Gisborne (receiving 654 votes); and at the 1975 and 1978 general elections for Hastings (1,788 and 5,373 votes respectively).[3]

Hastings

Dwyer served as a Hastings city councillor from 1977 to 1981.[1] In 1986, he was elected as mayor of Hastings City, and then as mayor of Hastings District following the 1989 local government reforms.[1][4] In 2001, after 15 years as mayor, he chose not to seek re-election.[4]

Honours and awards

In 1990, Dwyer was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.[1] In the 1999 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.[5]

Death

Dwyer died on 11 December 2005 from melanoma, from which he had suffered for over a year.[2]

References

1. Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 129. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
2. "Obituary: Jeremy Dwyer". Hawkes Bay Today. 12 December 2005. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
3. Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand Parliamentary Election Results 1946-1987: Occasional Publications No 1, Department of Political Science. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
4. "Hastings mayor calls it a day". New Zealand Herald. 2 August 2001. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
5. "New Year honours list 1999". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 1998. Retrieved 31 October 2019.