Sir George Chapman | |
|---|---|
 Chapman in 2019 | |
| 8thPresident of theNational Party | |
| In office 1973–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Ned Holt |
| Succeeded by | Sue Wood |
| 9thDeputy Mayor of Upper Hutt | |
| In office 1953–1955 | |
| Preceded by | John Purvis |
| Succeeded by | F.P. Keys |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Alan Chapman (1927-04-13)13 April 1927 (age 98) Trentham Military Camp, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
Sir George Alan Chapman (born 13 April 1927) is a New Zealand accountant, businessman and company director. He was president of theNational Party from 1973 to 1982.
Chapman was born on 13 April 1927 in theTrentham Military Camp,Trentham,[1] where his ex-British Army father was chief armourer. His parents were Thomas "Tom" George Chapman and Winifred "Wyn" Jordan Chapman.[2][3] He was educated at Trentham Primary School,[2]Hutt Valley High School andVictoria University of Wellington.[4]
Chapman joined theNational Party in 1948, and was chairman of the Young Nationals for two years, electorate secretary (1953–58) and chairman (1960–66) ofHeretaunga, Wellington Division chairman (1966–73), Dominion Councillor (1964–85), and was party vice-president between 1966 and 1973.[4][2] In 1971, he challenged the incumbent,Ned Holt, for the presidency of the National Party but lost the vote. He was elected president of the National Party in 1973 and held that role until 1982, and was described as "one of the National Party's most influential presidents" by political historianBarry Gustafson.[4]
He was anUpper Hutt borough councillor from 1952 to 1955 and served as deputymayor between 1953 and 1955.[4]
In 1977, Chapman was awarded theQueen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal,[5] and in the1982 Queen's Birthday Honours he was appointed aKnight Bachelor, for political and public services.[6]
His memoirThe Years of Lightning covers several noteworthy general events; the1969 election,1972 election,1975 election,1978 election, and the period withRobert Muldoon as party leader.
In 1948 when aged 20, he became the borough treasurer for Upper Hutt.[7] Later in the same year, he became a partner in an accountancy firm that was later called Saunders and Chapman and then became Chapman Upchurch.[2] He retired as senior partner in 2000.[citation needed]
Chapman has, since 1948, been a member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants (MNZSA) and was made a fellow (FCA) in 1969. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries & Administrators (FCIS) and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.[2] He was chairman of the Upper Hutt Chamber of Commerce.[7]
He was chairman of theHousing Corporation (1992–95) and chaired the Housing New Zealand Establishment Board (April–July 1992).[citation needed] He was chairman of theBuilding Industry Authority (1992–2000). When theMinister of Internal Affairs,George Hawkins, accused him of having known about theleaky building problem, Chapman denied any knowledge and stated that the board was first informed in August 2001, i.e. after his tenure.[8]
Chapman was a director for several companies including theBank of New Zealand (1968–86, including deputy chairman 1976–86),[2] BNZ Finance (1977–88), Maui Developments Ltd 1979–85,[4]Skellerup Industries Ltd (1982–90), Pilkington (NZ) (1982–94),Norwich Union (NZ) (formerly Norwich Winterthur NZ; 1982–1992), andState Insurance Ltd (1990–1992).[2]
He was board chairman of Pilkington (NZ) (1989–94), BNZ Finance 1979–88,Mitel Telecommunications (NZ) (1984–91), and Norwich Union (NZ) (1982–85).[2]
Chapman married Jacqueline Sidney Irvine (born 1928) in 1950; she was the daughter of Murray Russell Irvine. They had two sons and five daughters.[2] His wife died in 2009.[9]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President of the National Party 1973–1982 | Succeeded by |
