Arthur William Onslow, commonly known as Sir William Onslow, was the first Governor-General of New Zealand, serving from 26 July 1917 to 8 June 1920.
Onslow was born in England in 1853 and educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. He entered the British Army in 1874 and served in the Zulu War and the Boer War. After retiring from the military in 1904, he served as Governor of Western Australia from 1904 to 1911 and as Governor of New Zealand from 1911 to 1917.
During his term as Governor-General, Onslow oversaw the implementation of a number of important reforms, including the introduction of women’s suffrage and the establishment of the social security system. He also played a key role in the establishment of the University of New Zealand and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
- Ethnicity: British
- Term of Office: 26 July 1917 – 8 June 1920
- Achievements:
- Oversaw the implementation of women’s suffrage in 1919.
- Established the social security system in 1919.
- Played a key role in the establishment of the University of New Zealand in 1870 and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1946.
- Legacy:
- Remembered as a wise and just ruler who played a key role in the development of New Zealand.
Onslow was a popular and respected figure in New Zealand. He was known for his intelligence, his wit, and his dedication to public service. He died in England in 1927.
Emblem of New Zealand
To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Netherlands, Nepal and Nauru. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics.
The official residence and symbol of the New Zealand President
10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped New Zealand’s History
Here are 10 of the most popular presidents from New Zealand:
- Michael Joseph Savage
- Jack Marshall
- Norman Kirk
- David Lange
- Jenny Shipley
- Helen Clark
- John Key
- Jacinda Ardern
- Pita Sharples
- Winston Peters
1. Michael Joseph Savage: Serving as the country’s first Labour Prime Minister, Savage was highly regarded for his role in establishing the welfare state and improving social security during his tenure from 1935 until his death in 1940.
2. Jack Marshall: Solely leading the National Party as its Prime Minister for a short period in 1972, Marshall is known for his diplomatic skills, maintaining New Zealand’s relationship with the United States during the Vietnam War.
3. Norman Kirk: Elected as the Labour Party Prime Minister in 1972, Kirk is hailed as a strong advocate for social justice, workers’ rights, and New Zealand’s anti-nuclear policy.
4. David Lange: Best known for his anti-nuclear stance, Lange, from the Labour Party, served as New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989 and played a crucial role in banning nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed ships from entering New Zealand waters.
5. Jenny Shipley: The first woman to serve as New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Shipley, a member of the National Party, held office from 1997 to 1999. She initiated several economic reforms and focused on education and social welfare issues.
6. Helen Clark: Serving as Prime Minister for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008, Clark, a Labour Party leader, is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most influential and powerful leaders. She prioritized social policies, environmental sustainability, and foreign affairs.
7. John Key: Leading the National Party, Key held office as Prime Minister from 2008 until 2016. Under his leadership, New Zealand experienced economic growth, immigration increase, and recovery from the devastating Canterbury earthquakes.
8. Jacinda Ardern: Elected in 2017 as the leader of the Labour Party, Ardern became the world’s youngest female head of government at the age of 37. She is widely esteemed for her empathetic leadership style, response to the Christchurch mosque shootings, and effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
9. Pita Sharples: As the co-leader of the Māori Party, Sharples significantly contributed to advocating for Māori rights, culture, and language. He served as a Minister outside Cabinet from 2008 to 2014.
10. Winston Peters: Known for his exceptional negotiation skills and political longevity, Peters has had multiple stints as a government minister and was the leader of New Zealand First, a political party known for its populist policies, from 1993 to 2020.
