Quick Facts
Biography
Roderick McKenzie (1852 – 9 October 1934) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Buller and Motueka, in the South Island. He was a member of the Liberal Party.
Early life
He was born in Ross-shire, Scotland and was educated at the Glasgow Academy. He came to New Zealand in 1869 and was a member of the Westport Harbour Board, Nelson Harbour Board and Kumara Hospital Board. McKenzie was an engineer and bridgebuilder. His projects included construction of the Westport Staiths at a cost of 22,000 pounds, the railway bridge at Arahura and he laid the rails to Hokitika.
Member of Parliament
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Buller | Liberal | |
| 1896–1899 | 13th | Motueka | Liberal | |
| 1899–1902 | 14th | Motueka | Liberal | |
| 1902–1905 | 15th | Motueka | Liberal | |
| 1905–1908 | 16th | Motueka | Liberal | |
| 1908–1911 | 17th | Motueka | Liberal | |
| 1911–1914 | 18th | Motueka | Liberal | |
McKenzie was the MP for Buller between 1893 and 1896 and the MP for Motueka from 1896 to 1914. He was Chairman of Committees from 1906 to 1908. He was Minister of Public Works and Mines 1909–1912.
Roderick McKenzie was a "strong supporter of the Seddon administration". However, in 1912 McKenzie would have nothing to do with Thomas Mackenzie'sLiberal Ministry stating that: John Millar should have been Prime Minister, Mackenzie's ministers were political novices and had forsaken their liberal principles.
In 1932, when he was 80 years old, McKenzie contested the Motueka seat at the by-election following the death of George Black. McKenzie died on 9 October 1934.