About Herbert Kyle
Lived 1873 – 1955 (aged 81). Herbert Kyle was a New Zealand politician, farmer, veterinarian, chairperson and veterinary surgeon.
Herbert Seton Stewart Kyle (29 August 1873 – 5 January 1955) was a member of the Reform Party and since 1936 National Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
Early life and profession Kyle was born in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia, in 1873. He received his education from The Geelong College and the Melbourne Veterinary College. He was a vet in Ballarat until 1899, when he migrated to New Zealand.
He was a New Zealand government vet in Christchurch from 1901 to 1918. Afterwards, he had his private practice in Christchurch.
Member of Parliament
The Christchurch electorate of Riccarton was contested by three candidates in the . George Witty was successful, with Kyle coming second and Jack McCullough coming third. Kyle won the Riccarton electorate in the 1925 election, and held it to 1943 when he was defeated (he withdrew).
Independent Kyle resigned from the National Party in 1942. He stated: "The National Party organization has built up a watertight compartment that makes one become a 'yes man' with expulsion as an alternative". Kyle thought it "better to retire from the party than to place on it the onus of expulsion, a point which the gentleman (Sid Holland) who moved the resolution was expounding when I left the caucus meeting". Kyle remained an Independent until 1943, but did not contest the election in that year.
In 1935, Kyle was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for public and local government services, in the 1953 New Year Honours, and later in 1953 was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
Death Kyle died on 5 January 1955, and was buried in Bromley Cemetery.
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Important facts
People in Herbert Kyle's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Herbert Kyle's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Herbert Kyle?
New Zealand politician (1873-1955)
When was Herbert Kyle born?
Herbert Kyle was born on 29 August 1873 in Brunswick.
When did Herbert Kyle die?
Herbert Kyle died on 5 January 1955 in Christchurch.
What was Herbert Kyle's occupation?
Herbert Kyle was a politician, farmer, veterinarian, chairperson and veterinary surgeon.
What nationality was Herbert Kyle?
Herbert Kyle was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Herbert Kyle. https://biography.guide/herbert-kyle/
MLA: "Herbert Kyle." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/herbert-kyle/.
Chicago: "Herbert Kyle." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/herbert-kyle/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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