Sir William Alexander Bodkin KCVO (28 April 1883 – 15 June 1964) was a New Zealand politician of the United Party, and from 1936, the National Party.
Sir William Alexander Bodkin KCVO (28 April 1883 – 15 June 1964) was a New Zealand politician of the United Party, and from 1936, the National Party.
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928–1931 | 23rd | Otago Central | United | ||
| 1931–1935 | 24th | Otago Central | United | ||
| 1935–1936 | 25th | Otago Central | United | ||
| 1936–1938 | Changed allegiance to: | National | |||
| 1938–1943 | 26th | Otago Central | National | ||
| 1943–1946 | 27th | Otago Central | National | ||
| 1946–1949 | 28th | Otago Central | National | ||
| 1949–1951 | 29th | Otago Central | National | ||
| 1951–1954 | 30th | Otago Central | National | ||
Bodkin was born in Queenstown in 1883.[1]
He represented the rural Otago electorate of Otago Central from 1928 to 1954, when he retired.[2]
He was Chairman of Committees from 1930 to 1931.[3] He was Minister of Civil Defence in the War Administration in 1942.[4] In the Holland Ministry of the First National Government, he was Minister of Internal Affairs (1949–1954) and Minister of Social Security (1950–1954).[5]
In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal,[6] and in 1953 he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.[7] He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1954.[8]
In 1955, Bodkin was granted the use of the title of "Honourable" for life, having served more than three years as a member of the Executive Council.[9]