Ralph Hanan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Hanan
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Ralph Hanan, circa 1946
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| 17th Minister of Health | |
| In office 26 November 1954 – 12 December 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | Sidney Holland Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Jack Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Rex Mason |
| 20th Attorney-General | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 24 July 1969 |
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| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Rex Mason |
| Succeeded by | Jack Marshall |
| 33rd Minister of Justice | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 24 July 1969 |
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| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Rex Mason |
| Succeeded by | Dan Riddiford |
| 31st Minister of Maori Affairs | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 24 July 1969 |
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| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Walter Nash |
| Succeeded by | Duncan MacIntyre |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Invercargill |
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| In office 1946–1969 |
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| Preceded by | William Denham |
| Succeeded by | John Chewings |
| 33rd Mayor of Invercargill | |
| In office 1938–1941 |
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| Preceded by | John Miller |
| Succeeded by | John Robert Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1909 Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Died | 24 July 1969 (aged 60) Cairns, Australia |
| Resting place | Saint Johns Cemetery, Invercargill |
| Political party | National |
| Relations |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  New Zealand |
| Branch/service | New Zealand Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1944 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 20th Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II • Italian Campaign • First Battle of El Alamein |
Josiah Ralph Hanan (born 13 June 1909 – died 24 July 1969), known as Ralph Hanan, was an important New Zealand politician. He was the Mayor of Invercargill and later a Member of Parliament for the Invercargill area. He followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Josiah Hanan, who was also a politician. Ralph Hanan served in World War II, and injuries from the war sadly led to his death at age 60. He is most remembered for helping to end the death penalty in New Zealand. Even though his party wanted to bring it back, he convinced others to vote against it.
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Ralph Hanan's Early Life
Ralph Hanan was born in 1909 in Invercargill, New Zealand. His father, James Albert Hanan, was a draper, and his mother was Johanna Mary McGill. His uncle and aunt were Josiah and Susanna Hanan. Ralph went to Southland Boys' High School and Waitaki Boys' High School. He then studied law at the University of Otago.
After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in Invercargill in 1935. In 1939, he started his own law firm with Ian Arthur, called Hanan Arthur and Company. In 1940, he decided to join the army to serve in the war.
Starting a Political Career
Ralph Hanan began his political journey in 1935. He was elected to the Invercargill City Council. Just three years later, in 1938, he became the Mayor of Invercargill. He held this important local role until 1941. He stepped down to join the war effort. His uncle, Josiah Hanan, had also been Mayor of Invercargill many years before.
Serving in World War II
Ralph Hanan joined the 20th Canterbury-Otago Battalion. He served in the Middle East and Italy during World War II. He was injured during a battle called Minquar Qaim. He was very lucky to survive, as a truck driver found him unconscious and took him to safety. These injuries caused a serious lung condition. Because of this, he had to return home in 1944 as an invalid. By the end of his service, he had reached the rank of Captain.
Political Career After the War
After returning from the war, Ralph Hanan continued his political career. He was elected to Parliament in 1946. He represented the Invercargill area until 1969. His uncle had also been a Member of Parliament for the same area.
Ralph Hanan held several important government jobs:
- Minister of Health (1954–1957)
- Minister of Immigration (1954–1957)
- Attorney-General (1960–1969)
- Minister of Justice (1960–1969)
- Minister of Māori Affairs (1960–1969)
- Minister of Island Territories (1963–1969)
Ending the Death Penalty in New Zealand
One of Ralph Hanan's most famous achievements was helping to abolish the death penalty for murder in New Zealand. In 1961, he and nine other Members of Parliament from his party voted with the opposition party. This was a brave move, as it went against what his own party wanted.
As the Minister of Justice, it was his job to introduce the law about the death penalty to Parliament. However, he openly said he disagreed with bringing it back. He managed to convince enough of his party members to vote with the other side. This led to the death penalty being permanently removed in New Zealand. This is why he is so well remembered.
Understanding Public Opinion
Ralph Hanan was very good at understanding what the public wanted. He often created new policies based on what people were thinking. Sometimes, his ideas were not popular with his own party at first. But he was usually able to talk them around and get them to agree.
One important law he introduced was the Maori Affairs Amendment Act 1967. This law was controversial and many Māori were against it. They worried it would cause them to lose more of their land.
Ralph Hanan was a key member of Prime Minister Keith Holyoake's government. When Hanan and another important minister, Tom Shand, died within a few months of each other, it weakened Holyoake's strong position.
Ralph Hanan's Death
Ralph Hanan passed away on 24 July 1969, at the age of 60. He died in Cairns, Australia, after attending a conference for government lawyers. His death was linked to the injuries he received during World War II. He was buried in Saint Johns Cemetery in Invercargill. Because he died close to a general election, a special law was passed. This law meant that a by-election (a special election to fill his seat) was not needed before the main election in November 1969. His wife, Eirene, lived for almost 40 more years and was buried next to him in 2007.
