Background
Ridley was born in Invercargill, New Zealand in 1919.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Jack Ridley
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended Timaru Boys" High School and then studied engineering at Canterbury University in Christchurch.
Career
He was awarded the QSO and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for services to New Zealand. He was notable for his contributions to hydro engineering. After the Second World War (in which he served as an engineering officer) he spent two years, 1946–1947, as a Rhodes Scholar at University College, Oxford University, graduating with an Master of Arts (Honours) in engineering science.
Ridley was a civil engineer of dams for power schemes like Benmore Dam in the South Island and Wairakei in the North Island.
Ridley was the Member of Parliament for Taupo for six years from 1972 to 1975, and from 1978 to 1981. He was once asked why there were so few engineers in Parliament, to which he replied: "Because engineers are realists and politicians are idealists."
Independent
In 1984 Ridley stood in the new Tongariro electorate as an Independent but was not successful.
A large proportion of the Tongariro electorate had been part of Taupo. Ridley died in Auckland on 23 August 2006.
Achievements
Membership
Member of Parliament.
-
Born
-
Died
August 23, 2006 (aged 87) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Political Party
New Zealand Labour Party