Rob Talbot

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.