John Lithgow

John Lancelot Lithgow (13 July 1933 – 1 March 2004) was a New Zealand National Party politician. He was the member of Parliament for Palmerston North from 1975 to 1978 and, later, a member of Wanganui District Council.

Early life and career Lithgow was born in Wanganui in 1933. He grew up on his parents' dairy farm and was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School and Lincoln University. He farmed in Southland for two years before working at Imperial Chemical Industries New Zealand (ICI) as a sales representative and later as Manawatu-Wanganui field manager based in Palmerston North. His wife was Ann Lithgow, a social worker.

Lithgow was a Robert Muldoon loyalist, describing himself as "a Rob Muldoon man" and Muldoon as "a decent guy."

At the 1978 election, Joe Walding won back the electorate for Labour. Lithgow's loyalty to Muldoon, who had become unpopular in Palmerston North by 1978, was considered a factor in voters unseating Lithgow in favour of Walding. On defeat, Lithgow promised he would continue to campaign on behalf of Palmerston North and intended to recontest the election again in 1981.

Later life and death Lithgow left Palmerston North for Auckland two months after the 1978 election, where he found employment. and became a Wanganui district councillor.

Honours and awards In 1977, Lithgow was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. Thirteen years later, he received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.