Former Auckland politician passes away
The late Merv Wellington will be remembered as a good man who was committed to his faith and staunchly loyal to his
political philosophy and friends, former colleague Auckland City Mayor John Banks said today.
“He was a fine man who stood firmly for what he believed in. He was valued and respected by his friends, fellow
parliamentarians and constituents. His unrelenting loyalty to the Prime Minister of the day had to be admired,” Mr Banks
said.
A former secondary school teacher, Mr Wellington was Minister of Education from 1978 to 1984. He was elected MP for
Manurewa when Robert Muldoon swept to power in 1975. He won the new Papakura seat in 1978, which he held until retiring
from Parliament in 1987.
Born in Inglewood, Taranaki, on 6 October 1940, he was educated at Inglewood Primary, New Plymouth Boys High School and
Auckland University.
“In recent times Merv confronted his illness with much courage and dignity, never to complain and struggling on. He
enjoyed getting together with some of his old mates to talk about the good days and so that’s what we did.”
"I pass on my condolences to his wife, Helen, and their daughters. His family has much to be proud of. Merv made a
significant contribution to education, Auckland and New Zealand," Mr Banks said.