Lionel Wilkinson

Lionel Roberts Wilkinson (20 May 1887 − 4 December 1976) was a New Zealand soldier and politician. He was Mayor of Tauranga for 19 years.

Early life and career Wilkinson was born in England in 1887 and was educated at Leeds Higher Grade School. He played first fifteen school rugby and was also a talented swimmer. He later emigrated to New Zealand and became a farmer at Pokuru. While living there he was chairman of the Kakepuku Dairy Company and chairman of the local school committee.

Military career In early 1915 Wilkinson enlisted in the army and served with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in Egypt and later in France, returning with the rank of lieutenant. After the war he became actively engaged in territorial training for 19 years until he was posted to the reserve of officers.

He was defeated for the mayoralty by former MP Bill Barnard in 1950, but was re-elected in a 1952 by-election following Barnard's resignation.

Wilkinson was a member of the Tauranga Harbour Board, Tauranga Hospital Board (including a period as deputy chairman) and chairman of the Tauranga Fire Board. He was president of the New Zealand Municipal Electric Supply Authorities' Association and member of the New Zealand Municipal Association executive.