Sir Alexander McKenzie (26 October 1896 – 20 August 1992) was a New Zealand

sharebroker A stockbroker is a regulated broker, broker-dealer, or registered investment adviser (in the United States) who may provide financial advisory and investment management services and execute transactions such as the purchase or sale of stocks and ...

and company director. He served as president of the National Party from 1951 to 1962.

Biography

Born in Invercargill on 26 October 1896, McKenzie was the son of Alexander and Isabella McKenzie. He was educated at Southland Technical College and Southland Boys' High School. McKenzie enlisted in the

New Zealand Expeditionary Force The New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) was the title of the military forces sent from New Zealand to fight alongside other British Empire and Dominion troops during World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). Ultimately, the NZE ...

during World War I on 14 November 1916, and saw active service in France with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He was wounded in action on 18 August 1917, and was subsequently assessed as being permanently unfit for active service and returned to New Zealand for discharge. McKenzie married Constance Mary Howard on 10 October 1935, and the couple went on to have four children. McKenzie was a sharebroker, underwriter, and director of several companies. He was chair of the Auckland division of the National Party from 1942 until being elected as party president in 1951, in which role he served until 1962. In the

1962 New Year Honours The New Year Honours 1962 were appointments in many of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. They were announced in supplements to the ''Lon ...

, McKenzie was appointed a

Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

, for political services. He died in Auckland on 20 August 1992, aged 95.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McKenzie, Alex 1896 births 1992 deaths People from Invercargill People educated at Aurora College (Invercargill) People educated at Southland Boys' High School New Zealand Military Forces personnel of World War I New Zealand National Party politicians New Zealand stockbrokers New Zealand Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Politicians awarded knighthoods New Zealand Army soldiers