Ian Brooks

Background

Brooks was born in Blenheim on 21 April 1928, the son of Ernest Brooks.

Career

He received his education at Marlborough College, which has since evolved to Marlborough Boys" College. He worked in the grocery trade for eight years and was then a senior clerk at the New Zealand Post Office for twenty years. He was a part-time farmer, and his 1940s Allis-Chalmers model C tractor is on display at Marlborough Museum.

Brooks unsuccessfully contested the Marlborough electorate in the 1969 election, but he was beaten by the incumbent, Tom Shand of the National Party.

He held the electorate until he was defeated in 1975 by National"s Edward Latter for what was usually a safe National seat. He stood once more in the 1978 election but was narrowly defeated by National"s Doug Kidd.

In his spare time, Brooks enjoys growing bulbs.

Achievements

• After Shand"s death only days after the general election, Brooks had a decisive win against Shand"s son in the resulting by-election in February 1970.