John Kneebone

John Kneebone
CMG
Kneebone in 2018
President of Federated Farmers
In office
1974–1977
Personal details
Born
John Thomas Kneebone

(1935-09-04)4 September 1935
Matamata, New Zealand
Died28 June 2020(2020-06-28) (aged 84)
Cambridge, New Zealand
Spouse
Kay Alexander
​
(m. 1965)​
Children3
EducationMatamata College
OccupationDairy farmer

John Thomas Kneebone CMG (4 September 1935 – 28 June 2020) was a New Zealand local politician and farming leader. He was a member of the Matamata County Council from 1959 to 1967, and was president of Federated Farmers between 1974 and 1977.

Early life and family

Born in Matamata on 4 September 1935, Kneebone was educated at Hinuera School and Matamata College.[1] On 11 December 1965, he married Kay Alexander, and the couple went on to have three children.[1]

Career

Kneebone was a farmer and company director, and was active in local politics and as a farming leader. He was an elected member of the Matamata County Council between 1959 and 1967.[1] He was elected as president of Federated Farmers in 1974,[2] and served in that position until 1977.[1] He was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal in 1989.[3]

Kneebone was the inspiration behind the National Agricultural Fieldays, established in 1969, after visiting the United Kingdom on a Nuffield Scholarship in 1966.[1][4] He also served as a member of the Land Settlement Board and the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council.[1]

In the 1988 New Year Honours, Kneebone was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for public services and services to agriculture.[5]

Death

Kneebone died in Cambridge on 28 June 2020.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Jackson, Desney, ed. (1979). Notable New Zealanders. Auckland: Paul Hamblyn. p. 252. ISBN 086832020X.
  2. ^ "Kneebone, John". Auckland Star. 9 November 1974. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Kneebone, John". New Zealand Herald. 14 March 1989. p. 20. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. ^ Bain, Mike (8 June 2018). "Kneebone connected to the backbone of Fieldays". Waikato Times. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  5. ^ "No. 51173". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 31 December 1987. p. 33.
  6. ^ "John Kneebone death notice". New Zealand Herald. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.


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