Quick Facts
Taurus
Biography
Sir Robert Mafeking Macfarlane KCMG (17 May 1900 – 2 December 1982) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament, served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was a Mayor of Christchurch.
Early life
Macfarlane was born in Christchurch in 1900. He married Louisa Jacobs in 1932.
Local body politics
Macfarlane was on the Christchurch City Council (1927–1929, 1936–1941, 1947–1959, and 1961–1981), and was Mayor of Christchurch twice, from 1938 to 1941 and from 1950 to 1958.
Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1939–1943 | 26th | Christchurch South | Labour | |
| 1943–1946 | 27th | Christchurch South | Labour | |
| 1946–1949 | 28th | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1949–1951 | 29th | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1951–1954 | 30th | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1954–1957 | 31st | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1957–1960 | 32nd | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1960–1963 | 33rd | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1963–1966 | 34th | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
| 1966–1969 | 35th | Christchurch Central | Labour | |
Macfarlane entered Parliament in 1939 following a by-election, replacing Ted Howard (although Howard's daughter Mabel Howard had hoped to replace him following his death). He was the Member of Parliament for Christchurch South from 1939 to 1946, then for Christchurch Central from 1946 to 1969, when he retired.
Speaker of the House of Representatives
He was the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 1958 to 1960.
Honours
In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1954 Macfarlane was appointed as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George and in the New Year Honours 1974 Macfarlane was promoted to Knight Commander of The Order of St Michael and St George.
Military service
In World War II he served in the Middle East in the ASC of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force for 2½ years.