Former Hamilton West MP and city councillor passes away

14 April 2015

Former Hamilton city councillor and Labour MP for Hamilton West, Dorothy Jelicich, has died, aged 87.

Mrs Jelicich served as a Labour MP for Hamilton West from 1972 to 1975 and had a brief spell on Hamilton City Council after winning a bi-election in 1979. She then went on to become a long-serving member of the Manukau City Council, serving the community as a councillor from 1980 to 1995.

Former Hamilton West MP and current Hamilton City councillor Martin Gallagher says Mrs Jelicich was admired for her energy and commitment to Hamilton. He says her contribution to local government and to the Kirk/Rowling Labour government was "very significant."

"Mrs Jelicich was a strong and passionate advocate for women's rights and had a strong interest in youth and encouraging young people to serve their community," Cr Gallagher says. "She was a significant mentor in my life, teaching the values of social justice, and always leading by example. Our thoughts are with Dorothy’s family, who were always strongly supportive of her respective roles as MP and city councillor."

Mrs Jelicich was one of only four female MPs in the House in the third Labour Government.

During her time as Hamilton West MP she led the all-women New Zealand delegation to the United Nations population conference in Bucharest in 1974, becoming the first woman from New Zealand to be a UN delegate. Mrs Jelicich was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for public services in the 1986 New Year Honours List.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 11am on Saturday at the Manukau Memorial Gardens Chapel in Puhinui Rd, Papatoetoe.

ENDS

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