Tom Pearce

Thomas Henry Pearce (4 June 1913 – 10 November 1976) was a New Zealand politician, rugby union player and businessman. He was chairman of the Auckland Regional Authority for 8 years. A controversial figure, he was known for his blunt, often fiery personality speaking forthrightly and not standing on ceremony.

Biography Early life Pearce was born in Auckland in 1913. He was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School before attending University of Auckland. A physically large man, he was an active athlete and enjoyed swimming, rugby and wrestling. He held a seat on the council for six years before he decided not to stand for re-election in 1968. In 1963 he was disqualified from the council on a technicality, breaching the Local Authorities (Members Contracts) Act according to the Supreme Court, but was re-elected in April that year in the subsequent by-election.

Once elected, Pearce was quick to clash with mayor Robinson, which was ironic given his previous criticism of the behavior of council members. Undoubtedly the major factor of the friction was Robinson's long history as patron and supporter of rugby league, rival to rugby union which Pearce supported. Pearce showed himself as very old fashioned and notably objected to Robinson's plans to hold an official civic reception for The Beatles during their 1964 tour of New Zealand, describing it as pandering to a group of "long hairs".

He was elected a member of the Auckland Regional Authority (ARA) in 1965. He was elected chairman of the ARA (in preference to the deputy chairman Leo Manning) in 1968 and was re-elected chairman in 1971 and 1974. His daughter Sandra would later become a regional councillor from 2001 to 2010.