Thomas Mackenzie

Sir Thomas Mackenzie (10 March 1853 – 4 February 1930) was a New Zealand politician and explorer who briefly served as the 18th prime minister of New Zealand in 1912, and later served as New Zealand High Commissioner in London.

Biography Early life and career Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh in 1853. His family emigrated to New Zealand in 1858 when he was four and Mackenzie was educated at Green Island School and at the Stone School, both in Dunedin. After ending his education in his early teens he worked for several years in commercial firms before, aged 20, following his brother James into surveying. He gained employment at the Department of Lands and Survey and worked in several locations including the Hutt Valley, Rangitikei and Manawatu before finally returning to his home area in Dunedin.

In 1877 he purchased a general storekeeping business in Balclutha. He managed the business well and it developed well before he sold it in 1886 for a considerable profit. In the Balclutha area he became a well-known man and was accordingly elected a member of the Balclutha Borough Council from 1881 to 1887. He resigned from Parliament in 1896 to assess the British markets for New Zealand products and remained in his native land for three years.

On his return to New Zealand he was elected to Parliament successively for Waihemo –1902, Waikouaiti 1902–1908, Taieri 1908–1911 and Egmont (in the North Island) 1911–1912, never losing an election he contested. He did so believing the Liberal Party's policies and reforms had become too mainstream and entrenched for them to be abolished. New Zealand historian Tom Brooking wrote that Mackenzie's greatest contribution was his vigorous support of the cause of conservation in New Zealand.

Honours and recognition He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 1916 New Year Honours (1 January 1916) and promoted to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG) in June 1920.

Family His son Clutha Mackenzie who was blinded at Gallipoli was active in work for the blind. He followed his father in also becoming, briefly, a Member of Parliament. His brother James Mackenzie was Surveyor-General of New Zealand from 1912 to 1914.