Stephen Kirkwood, a two-term Auckland City councillor in the 1980s and mayoral aspirant, has died aged 78.

Mr Kirkwood stood for the Citizens and Ratepayers ticket in the 1983 election and was re-elected in 1986 before being defeated in 1989. He stood for the mayoralty in 1992 under the Maori political party banner, Kia Ora.

Councillor Bill Christian, who defeated Mr Kirkwood in 1989, recalls Mr Kirkwood’s commitment to the poorer eastern suburbs communities.

“He was regarded as a Kaumatua for the Glen Innes, Pt England and Tamaki areas and was a strong advocate for the disadvantaged people of those suburbs,” says Councillor Christian.

Mr Kirkwood was the national secretary of the NZ Maori Battalion for 12 years, chairman of the Ruapotaka Marae in Glen Innes and vice chairman of the Tamaki College Board of Governors.

A long-time conservationist, Mr Kirkwood also advocated for “more transport alternatives for individuals travelling in cars to work in the city from the suburbs, to limit air pollution and congestion.”

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During his time on the council, Mr Kirkwood supported the unsuccessful call for a fast rail transit system which would have delivered people to downtown Auckland.

Mr Kirkwood was buried in Te Teko in the Bay of Plenty.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Councillor Bill Christian, tel: 527-8648.

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