Labour saddened by death of Sir Owen Woodhouse

New Zealand has lost one of its finest jurists and most outstanding citizens with the death of Sir Owen Woodhouse ONZ KBE DSC, Labour Leader David Cunliffe said today.

“We pass on our condolences to the family of this great New Zealander.

“Sir Owen’s selfless contributions to public life have been immeasurable. From his service as a decorated naval officer in World War II to his work as a jurist at the highest levels of the courts in this country, he had a brilliant career.

“Presidency of the Court of Appeal, of the Law Commission, being a Privy Counsellor and a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, would be the high points of any career in the law.

“But New Zealanders owe a special debt of gratitude to Sir Owen for his ground-breaking work as chairman of the Royal Commission on Accident Compensation from 1966-67.

“The resultant Woodhouse Report led to the introduction of New Zealand’s no-fault compensation scheme and the formation of ACC – one of the most significant legal reforms of the last 50 years,’’ David Cunliffe said.

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