Stan Whitehead

Sir Stanley Austin Whitehead (8 October 1907 – 9 January 1976) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was the eighteenth Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976, and Member of Parliament for the Nelson electorate from 1957 to 1976.

Biography Early life and family Whitehead was born in Reefton, on the West Coast of New Zealand. He was brought up in the mining town of Waiuta, and left school at the age of 14 to enter work as a saw miller. He was an active sportsman in his youth competed in axemen's events. Whitehead played rugby league for Inangahua and Blackball on the West Coast as a . He later was a referee and controlled provincial matches.

In 1928, he married Frances Edna Clark, at Greymouth. They had seven children together. The family moved to Inangahua Junction and he became secretary of the Inangahua school committee. He moved to Nelson and worked for Transport Nelson. He was on the Auckland Point school committee and was also the president of the parent teacher association. He was also on the council of the Nelson Polytechnic. He was an active trade unionist and was a member of the Nelson Trades Council for over 20 years.

In 1957 he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Nelson Harbour Board and became heavily involved with the development of Port Nelson. In 1971 he was elected the board's deputy chairman and was still a member of the board at the time of his death.

In 1972, Whitehead was asked by Prime Minister Norman Kirk to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the Third Labour Government. Whitehead hosted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and had the duty of presiding after the death of Kirk later that year. Whitehead stated that his time as speaker was the highlight of his career. in recognition of his long public service to central and local government. After the surprise defeat of the Labour government he planned to retire at the . The outpouring of grief from the local people was unprecedented as Nelson stopped for his service which was relayed by loud speakers to the thousands lining the streets outside Nelson Cathedral. Large crowds lined the streets to show their respect when the funeral procession passed. He was survived by his wife and seven children. The by-election for Whitehead's seat was won by Mel Courtney, retaining the seat for Labour. Following his death, he was succeeded as Speaker by Roy Jack.