Bill Tolhurst

Bill Tolhurst
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Wanganui
In office 29 November 1969 – 25 November 1972
Preceded by	George Spooner
Succeeded by	Russell Marshall
Personal details
Born	William Gerald Tolhurst (1931-04-20)20 April 1931 Masterton, New Zealand
Died	18 August 2013(2013-08-18) (aged 82) Taupō, New Zealand
Political party	National
Spouse	Jeni Baker ​ (m. 1955)​
Relations	Catherine Wedd (granddaughter)
Children	4
Alma mater	University of Otago
Profession	Accountant

William Gerald Tolhurst (20 April 1931 – 18 August 2013) was a New Zealand chartered accountant and politician of the National Party.

Biography

Early life and family

Tolhurst was born in Masterton in 1931, the son of Wellington sharebroker Gerald Tolhurst and his second wife Noeline Parata Tolhurst (formerly Mace, née Cruickshank). He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School, Victoria University College, and the University of Otago where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Commerce.[1] In 1955, Tolhurst married Jenifer Baker, with whom he had two sons and two daughters.[1] His wife's father was Leyden Baker from Cashmere.[2]

Tolhurst worked for public accountants Barr, Burgess and Stewart (now PWC) in Wellington from 1948 to 1952 and was admitted to the New Zealand Society of Accountants in June 1952. Then he moved to Barr Burgess's head office in Dunedin. Returning to the North Island, he moved to Wanganui, working there for public accountant G. K. Campbell for a further year before setting up his own independent practice in that city.[3] He was awarded fellowship of the Society of Accountants in June 1969 before he stood for election to parliament.

Political career

New Zealand Parliament

Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1969–1972	36th	Wanganui			National

Tolhurst was secretary for the National Party in the Wanganui electorate from 1956 until 1968, and treasurer for the Waimarino electorate.[3] He represented Wanganui for three years from his election in 1969 until 1972, when he was defeated by Labour's Russell Marshall.[4]

Later he was active in local politics and was elected a member of the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council until he retired in 1998.[5]

Death and legacy

Tolhurst died at his home in Taupō on 18 August 2013.[6][7] His wife, Jeni Tolhurst, died in 2021.[8] She was National's candidate for Wanganui in 1981.[9]

Tolhurst's granddaughter, Catherine Wedd, was elected as the National Party MP for Tukituki at the 2023 general election.[10]

Notes

1. Lambert 1991, pp. 642.
2. "Engagements". The Press. Vol. XC, no. 27410. 24 July 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
3. Gustafson 1986, p. 348.
4. Wilson 1985, pp. 218, 241.
5. Saunders, John (25 August 1998). "Time running out for council nominations". Evening Standard. p. 2.
6. Maslin, John (24 August 2013). "Obituary: Bill Tolhurst cherished council's independence". Wanganui Chronicle. p. 7.
7. "William Tolhurst obituary". The Press. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
8. "Jeni Tolhurst obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
9. "Rangitikei seat draws wide attention". The Press. 12 October 1981. p. 13.
10. Hageman, Mitchell (17 October 2023). "Wedd's thoughts with late grandfather as she writes her own political chapter". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2023.

References

• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
• Lambert, Max (1991). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1991 (12th ed.). Auckland: Octopus. ISBN 9780790001302.
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by George Spooner	Member of Parliament for Wanganui 1969–1972	Succeeded by Russell Marshall