He represented the Rotorua electorate from 1954 to 1960, when he was defeated by National"s Harry Lapwood. He was a Cabinet minister under Walter Nash, and was Minister of Customs (1957–1960) in the Second Labour Government. Boord served as Mayor of Rotorua from 1971 to 1977.
Boord died in 1982, and was buried at Kauae Cemetery in Ngongataha.