Background
Jones was born on 15 August 1923 in Invercargill.
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Norman Jones
Edit ProfileEducation
After his time in the war he attended Otago and Victoria Universities, and Dunedin Teachers" College.
Career
From that point on he held a number of short term jobs working principally as a farm labourer before he joined the New Zealand army in 1941 after lying about his age. He served as a private in the 23rd Infantry Battalion during World World War II and lost his right leg to tank fire at the age of 19 in North Africa. He taught at Wanganui for some time, before returning south to become assistant master at Southland College.
Subsequently, he worked at James Hargest College and Southland Boys" High School.
Jones was an Invercargill city councillor for 18 years, and served one term as deputy mayor. He was particularly notable for his vehement opposition to the Homosexual Law Reform Acting 1986.
Due to his outspokenness on this and other issues, the media dubbed him "the mouth from the south". Representatives from industry, unions and community groups attended.
Jones refused to vacate his seat saying he would not give up his chair for some communist to sit down.
He first stood for Parliament at a by-election in 1945. He had contested seven elections before being chosen as the National candidate for Invercargill in 1975, when he beat the incumbent Labour representative, J. B. Munro. He remained in Parliament until shortly before his death in 1987.
Norman Jones died on 19 November 1987 from a brain tumour at the age of 64.
His autobiography, Jonesy, published five years earlier in 1982, detailed his wartime service and his political career, although a number of the most controversial aspects and events of his public service occurred after the book"s publication.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
November 19, 1987 (aged 64) -
Nationality
New Zealand -
Political Party
New Zealand National Party