Elizabeth Hanan

Dame Elizabeth Ann Hanan (née Walsh; 21 August 1937 – 13 October 2024) was a New Zealand local-body politician and community leader. She served as deputy mayor of Dunedin between 1998 and 2004.

Early life and family Hanan was born Elizabeth Ann Walsh on 21 August 1937 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the daughter of John Patrick Walsh and Enid Walsh (née Morris). The family moved to New Zealand in 1946 when her father was appointed professor of dentistry at the University of Otago; he invented the high-speed dental drill and was later knighted for services to dentistry. Elizabeth Walsh was educated at Columba College and Otago Girls' High School, before going on to study at the University of Otago between 1955 and 1960, and Canterbury University College between 1960 and 1961, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Later life and death Hanan died in Dunedin on 13 October 2024, at the age of 87. She had been predeceased by her husband, Murray Hanan, who died in March 2022.

Honours and awards In 1990, Hanan received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, and in 1993 she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal. Hanan was made a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2003, and in 2010 she received the first life membership awarded by the New Zealand International Science Festival.