Background
Born at Tuakau, just south of Auckland, Lapwood was raised by an uncle and aunt, his mother having died when he was four and his father when ha was ten.
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Harry Lapwood
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended Tuakau and Dilworth Schools in Auckland, before working first on a dairy farm in Awakeri, and later as a police officer in Invercargill.
Career
At the start of the Second World War in 1939 he joined the New Zealand Army and was a warrant officer class 1 in the 2nd Division. On 26 June 1942, he was appointed the Regimental Sergeant Major of 18 New Zealand Armoured Regiment. The next day, during fighting at Minqar Qaim leading up to the First Battle of El Alamein, he was wounded by enemy artillery fire, resulting in the loss of use of one arm.
Lapwood represented Rotorua for six terms from 1960 until his retirement in 1978.
He was senior whip from 1970 to 1974, and was known for having the loudest voice in Parliament, attributed to his previous role as RSM during the war. He was Minister of Tourism and Minister in charge of Publicity and of the Government Printing Office from 1975 to 1978, in the Muldoon government.
He was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and in the 1992 New Year Honours was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), "for public services". Lapwood died on 26 April 2007 after a short illness, and was survived by five daughters.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
April 26, 2007 (aged 91) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Political Party
National Party