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Hamilton Remembers Sir Ross Jansen

15 December, 2010

Hamilton leaders have paid tribute to former Hamilton Mayor, Sir Ross Jansen, who has died, aged 78. Sir Ross served as Hamilton Mayor from 1977-1989 and held senior national roles in local government administration. Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said Sir Ross was a visionary leader. “He will be remembered as one of the city’s greatest leaders and also for the role he played in the local government reforms in the 1980s.”

Long-serving Councillor and friend, Pippa Mahood, said Sir Ross was a person of incredible talent and high integrity. “For Hamilton he was always a leader of great ability. He was a calm, considered, intelligent and very able man.” Mrs Mahood said Sir Ross understood people, was well connected to the community, and his negotiating skills were “legendary.”

“He started putting Hamilton on the map. People, both regionally and in Government, took notice of Hamilton because they had such high regard for him.” Councillor Martin Gallagher, who served as Deputy Mayor to Sir Ross, said he was a man of enormous intellect and dignity who had presence, and acted as a mentor to many younger people.

He was also mayor during some defining years for Hamilton, which saw the development of Hamilton Gardens, Waikato Museum and Hamilton Zoo. “Under Sir Ross Hamilton evolved from being a large provincial town to a metropolitan city and what we are today.”

Mr Gallagher acknowledged the huge contribution made to the city by Sir Ross, and his wife Lady Rhyl. Sir Ross became president of the Municipal Association from 1984-1987 and then president of the New Zealand Local Government Association from 1988-1990. He was appointed chair of the Local Government Commission from 1998 to 2001. He was the second longest serving mayor, behind John Fow.

When Knighted in 1989, Sir Ross said Hamilton was a “good city to work for, populated by a people of great diversity, with get-up-and-go.” In recent years, Sir Ross lived in Orewa and had suffered ill health.

ENDS

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