Ross Malcolm Jansen

Sir Ross Malcolm Jansen (6 September 1932 – 15 December 2010) was a New Zealand local-body politician. He served as mayor of Hamilton from 1977 to 1989. He was an expert in local government, held a variety of positions, was academically acknowledged, and received a number of honours.

Biography Jansen was born on 6 September 1932 in Carterton, the son of Frank Egbert Jansen and Pearl Elizabeth Jansen, and was educated at Featherston District High School, Marton District High School, and Horowhenua College. He then studied at Victoria University College, from where he graduated with a LLB in 1957. He became a barrister and solicitor. In 1957, Jansen married Beatrice Rhyl Robinson, and the couple went on to have six children.

At a 1976 by-election he stood for Mayor of Hamilton but was unsuccessful, losing to Social Credit leader Bruce Beetham. At the next election he stood again (Beetham did not stand for another term) and was elected mayor of Hamilton in 1977, holding office until he was defeated in 1989.

Jansen was president of the Municipal Association of New Zealand from 1984 to 1987, and was the first president of the New Zealand Local Government Association. and promoted to Knight Commander of the same order in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours. In 1990 he was awarded life membership of the New Zealand Local Government Association,