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Rob Talbot

1923 – 2012

New Zealand politician

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About Rob Talbot

Lived 1923 – 2012 (aged 89). Rob Talbot was a New Zealand politician.

Robert Leslie Gapper Talbot (18 October 1923 – 13 December 2012) was a New Zealand politician who represented the National Party as a Member of Parliament. A Muldoon loyalist, he was a cabinet minister from 1981 to 1984 in the Third National Government, serving as Postmaster-General and Minister of Tourism.

Early life and family Born in Temuka on 18 October 1923, Talbot was the son of Elsie and Leslie Talbot. He was educated at Waitaki Boys' High School. In 1984, at a time when the use of Māori phrases was as yet uncommon in New Zealand, an Auckland telephone operator, Naida Glavish, was instructed to stop using "kia ora" when greeting callers after the post office had received a complaint. She refused to do so and was consequently stood down, with the whole affair attracting much public interest. Talbot, as Postmaster-General, is credited with successfully convincing the Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, to overturn that prohibition.

Talbot died on 13 December 2012 in Wellington. His wife Anne had died before him. He was survived by partner, Wilhelmina Pondman, one son, and two daughters.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Waitaki Boys' High School
Positions held
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
Also known as
Robert Leslie Gapper Talbot

People in Rob Talbot's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Rob Talbot's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Rob Talbot?

New Zealand politician (1923–2012)

When was Rob Talbot born?

Rob Talbot was born on 18 October 1923.

When did Rob Talbot die?

Rob Talbot died on 13 December 2012 in Wellington.

What was Rob Talbot's occupation?

Rob Talbot was a politician.

What nationality was Rob Talbot?

Rob Talbot was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Rob Talbot

· Wikidata: Q7340594

· DBpedia: Rob Talbot

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Rob Talbot. https://biography.guide/rob-talbot/

MLA: "Rob Talbot." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/rob-talbot/.

Chicago: "Rob Talbot." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/rob-talbot/.

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