McKENZIE, RODERICK (1852-1934) was the son of a sea captain and was born in Ross-shire.

He received his education at the Glasgow Academy, and afterwards entered the service of the London and Glasgow Engineering and Shipbuilding Co. Having visited Canada, he came to New Zealand in the City of Dunedin in 1869, being first attracted to the goldfields of Otago. He then moved to the West Coast, where he engaged in mining, engineering and bridge-building. He saw his first service in local bodies on the Westland harbour board and the Kumara hospital board. In 1893 he was elected to represent Buller in Parliament (defeating Eugene O'Conor). At the following election, having moved to Nelson, he was returned for Motueka, which he represented until his defeat by R. P. Hudson in 1913. McKenzie was chairman of committees from 1906, and in 1909 he joined the Ward Government as Minister of Public Works and Mines, holding office until its resignation (1912) and administering also the portfolio of customs. He was a member of the Nelson harbour board. McKenzie contested the Buller seat in 1932. He died on 9 Oct 1934.

N.Z.P.D., 10 Oct 1934; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; The Dominion, 10 Oct 1934 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 17

🌳 Further sources