Claire Stewart (politician) explained

Claire Stewart
Honorific-Suffix:QSO
Order:22nd
Office:Mayor of New Plymouth
Term Start:1992
Term End:2001
Predecessor:David Lean
Successor:Peter Tennent
Birth Date:17 June 1941
Death Place:Tewantin, Queensland, Australia
Birthname:Claire Lois Campbell
Children:5

Claire Lois Stewart (17 June 1941 – 29 March 2020) was a New Zealand politician who served as mayor of New Plymouth from 1992 until 2001. She was the first woman to hold this position.

Biography

Stewart was born on 17 June 1941.[1] In 1961 she married JJ Stewart,[2] a high school teacher and rugby coach eighteen years her senior and a drinking mate of her father.[3] By the time she was 28, they had five children together.[4]

Stewart was elected to the New Plymouth District Council in 1989. She also served on the Taranaki Regional Council and the Taranaki District Health Board. In 1992, she was elected mayor. During her time in office she extended the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, built a domestic violence shelter, and began the process of building Puke Ariki.[4] [5] In 2000, she was considered a frontrunner to be elected president of Local Government New Zealand,[6] but the position was ultimately filled by Basil Morrison, the mayor of Hauraki.[7] She retired in 2001 to look after her husband who was ill.[4] He died the next year.[3]

In the 2002 New Year Honours, Stewart was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.[8] In 2010, she moved to the Shire of Noosa in Australia to be closer to family.[9] Stewart died at her nursing home in Tewantin on 29 March 2020 after a long illness,[4] one day after her daughter-in-law, also named Clare Stewart, was elected mayor of Noosa.[5] After two years of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service in New Plymouth is planned for 17 June 2022.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Claire STEWART Obituary (1941–2020) . 2 April 2020 . New Zealand Herald.
  2. Web site: Stewart, Claire Lois, active 1961–2010 . National Library of New Zealand.
  3. Web site: Obituary: J.J. Stewart . 22 November 2002 . New Zealand Herald . D.J. . Cameron.
  4. Web site: Former New Plymouth mayor, loving mum and community advocate remembered . 2 April 2020 . Taranaki Daily News . Stuff . Christina . Persico.
  5. Web site: Seeing double – Daughter-in-law of former New Plymouth mayor has same name and career . 26 March 2022 . Taranaki Daily News . Stuff . Stephanie . Ockhuysen.
  6. Web site: Women on upper – ex-mayor . 26 October 2000 . New Zealand Herald.
  7. Web site: Life members . Local Government New Zealand.
  8. Web site: New Year honours list 2002 . 31 December 2001 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
  9. Web site: Former mayor off to sonshine . 15 May 2010 . Taranaki Daily News . Stuff . Rob . Maetzig.
  10. Web site: Memorial service for former mayor Claire Stewart to be held in New Plymouth . 9 June 2022 . Taranaki Daily News . Stuff . Glenn . McLean.