Bill Sullivan

Sir William Sullivan (8 December 1891 – 17 March 1967), was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. A man of large stature, he was affectionately known as "Big Bill".

Biography He was born in Inglewood in 1891 to Irish parents Samuel John Sullivan and Sarah Maria (née Acton). Sullivan received his education in Inglewood and Stratford. He was a Taranaki rugby representative and maintained an interest in the sport all his life.

Member of Parliament

Sullivan was one of three candidates in the in the electorate. He was a member of the United Party, but Charles Macmillan was the official candidate of the United–Reform Coalition, hence Sullivan stood as an Independent. He was defeated by Macmillan. Sullivan represented the electorate from a after the death of Gordon Hultquist to 13 February 1957, when he resigned following the death of his son who ran the family construction business.

He was the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Mines, Housing and the State Advances Corporation in the First National Government from 1949 to 1957. He was one of the "big four" (alongside Sidney Holland, Keith Holyoake and Clifton Webb) in cabinet and was allocated some of the most demanding portfolios. Consequently, he had a large amount of influence over the governments policy and direction. After leaving parliament he returned to running the timber and hardware business he founded forty years earlier.

He died in Whakatane on 17 March 1967. He had been ill for several months and was survived by a son and three daughters.

Personal life On 12 September 1916, Sullivan married Elvina Coral Brayshaw at Stratford. They had a family of three daughters and four sons. Three of his sons died before him, and his wife died in 1963.