Richard Geoffrey Gerard

Richard Geoffrey Gerard CMG (4 October 1904 – 1997) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party, and a cabinet minister.

Biography

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1943–1946	27th	Mid-Canterbury		National
1946–1949	28th	Ashburton		National
1949–1951	29th	Ashburton		National
1951–1954	30th	Ashburton		National
1954–1957	31st	Ashburton		National
1957–1960	32nd	Ashburton		National
1960–1963	33rd	Ashburton		National
1963–1966	34th	Ashburton		National

Gerard was born in Christchurch in 1904. He received his education at Christ's College and then farmed at Mount Hutt.

He represented the Canterbury electorates of Mid-Canterbury from 1943 to 1946, and then the Ashburton electorate from 1946 to 1966 when he retired. He was Minister of Marine under Holland and Holyoake (1957, 1961–1963), Minister of Social Security (1957) under Holland and Holyoake, Minister of Lands under Holyoake (1957, 1960–1966), and Minister of Forests under Holyoake (1957, 1960–1966).

He was awarded the CMG in 1981.

His son Jim followed in his footsteps, representing the Rangiora electorate from 1984.

References

• Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6. 
• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103. 

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Mary Grigg	Member of Parliament for Mid-Canterbury 1943–1946	Constituency abolished
In abeyance Title last held by William Nosworthy	Member of Parliament for Ashburton 1946–1966	Succeeded by Rob Talbot