Bill Fraser

William Alex Fraser (28 July 1924 – 13 January 2001) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Early life and career Fraser was born in Dunedin on 28 July 1924. He attended school at Forbury and King Edward Technical College. His father was a film projectionist and whilst not politically active, was a Labour supporter. In 1938 he became an apprentice carpenter and later worked as a builder. He was also a competent swimmer.

He served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II. He enlisted in No. 5 Squadron of the Air Training Corps in 1941 and trained at Ohakea as an air gunner. In 1943 he gained his flying badge was posted to the Solomon Islands where he saw action conducting bombings, strafing runs and photographic reconnaissance. He ended the war with the rank of Warrant Officer and was demobilized in May 1946.

Political career

Local politics With Dorothy's encouragement he joined the Dunedin South branch of the Labour Party, where he became a delegate to the Otago Labour Representation Committee and became president of the St Kilda Junior Branch. At the 1947 local body elections he stood as a candidate for the St Kilda Borough Council, but was unsuccessful.

Member of Parliament He represented the Dunedin electorate of St Kilda from 1957 to 1981, when he retired. He was Dunedin's longest-serving MP. Fraser had not forgiven Rowling for being removed from the Housing portfolio in 1974 and their relationship never improved. This, combined with a new intake of ambitious MPs after Labour's failure to regain government in , led him to believe his future prospects in politics were dim. During this parliamentary term, when there was a leadership challenge to Rowling by David Lange, Fraser was unable to attend the caucus ballot, though was expected to vote for Lange had he been present.

In late 1979 Fraser made the decision, to public surprise, that he would retire from parliament.

Later life and death Fraser returned to the building trade. Upon leaving parliament he said "I still have a strong right arm and can wield a hammer."

In the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours, Fraser was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.

He died aged 76 in Dunedin in 2001, survived by his wife, son and daughter.