William Macdonald

William Donald Stuart MacDonald (1862 – 31 August 1920) was a New Zealand politician, Cabinet Minister, and briefly Leader of the Opposition.

Early life

MacDonald was born in Meningwort. Victoria in 1862 and was a noted horseman in his youth. He emigrated to Poverty Bay in New Zealand in 1882 where he became a pastoralist. He worked in shepherding for several years and then became overseer of Ngatapa station. He then managed land at Papatu before doing likewise at two properties owned by Alexander Creighton Arthur at Matawhero and Whatatutu. In 1887 he became manager of the Bank of New Zealand estates at Gisborne, a position which he occupied until 1902. Also during this period he conducted a large amount of agricultural development work, clearing 70,000 acres of bush into farmland. He also managed several sheep stations during his career such as at Tokomaru Bay and Lorne station (the latter of which he owned).

His political career began in local politics. He served as a member of the Waiapu County Council, Tokomaru Harbour Board and Waiapu Hospital Board, and was later the first chairman of Waikohu County Council.

Member of Parliament

He was elected the Member of the House of Representatives for the Bay of Plenty at the 1908 general election. Once in Parliament he became known by the nickname "Fighting Mac." Unlike most of his Liberal Party colleagues MacDonald was a freeholder in regards to land ownership. He rose rapidly through the ranks and in 1910 he became senior party whip. He served as Minister of Public Works and Minister of Native Affairs in the short lived 1912 cabinet of Thomas Mackenzie. He also served in the wartime (1915–19) National cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Mines and Minister in Charge of the Legislative, Public Buildings, Inspection of Machinery, State Fire and Accident Insurance Departments.