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Macaskill, Stuart Alisdair
Biography
BiographyInformation mainly collated from December 22, 2012 'Dominion Post' obituary and a November 28, 2001 'Leader' article which described him as 'winding down'; more came from a July 30, 1997 scout-reunion article:-
1939; Stuart's mother widowed, with four children.
Age 15, 1947; going with 200 NZ Scouts to World Jamboree for Peace, joining 30 000 Scouts in France, led to a life-long association with Scouts. The July 30, 1997 article said over 100 would be at the August 15-17 reunion at St Patrick's College (and said there had been 40 000 at the Jamboree).
1948; polio epidemic closed Hutt Valley High School; he joined his brother Alan in a Lower Hutt hardware shop set up by his father (who had died when Stuart was 8), and his uncle. A few years later, the brothers set up Macaskill Brothers' hardware shop in Upper Hutt at 11 Main Street; initially occupying one bay of the building, they expanded to two in May 1966. The business ran for 29 years, Originally hardware, it added Parkercraft boats, Chrysler outboard motors and associated equipment in August 1972.
Stuart married Trish a fortnight after setting up the shop.
The business was sold to Jardens Home Hardware and Decorating in September or October 1982, with Stuart staying on as manager for two years. They moved to Maidstone Mall in June 1984; Stuart was pictured as their manager on July 3. The business closure was announced in the September 10, 1985 'Leader'; Stuart was 53, and had been elected chairman of the Wellington Regional Council's transport committee.
In 1971, Stuart stood for city council; he was the highest-polling candidate, and became deputy mayor four years later.
Rotary District Governor ('Leader', July 2, 1975).
In 1980 he stood for mayor against Rex Kirton and was soundly defeated, but won a seat on the new Wellington Regional Council, and became chairman of its urban transport committee.
In August 1981 he was chairman of the Upper Hutt Valley Health Care Association, and pictured with the new Sinclair Street health centte.
In a 1983 tie for the council chairmanship, Stuart lost the name draw to Mervyn Kemp, but succeeded him three years later, holding the post until he retired in 2001.
In that position, he was behind major improvements to water supply, and two storage lakes at Te Marua are named after him.
It was under his leadership that the Regional Council became a major funder of the Wellington stadium.
In June 1993 he was elected president of the local Government Association.
Other long-term associations included Heretaunga Rotary, Jaycees, the Automobile Association.
His three sons had asthma problems; eventually Stuart became vice-president of the New Zealand Asthma Society.
Awards included a Queen's Service Award for public services in the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours, and Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to local government.
The April 25, 2001 'Leader' announced his coming retirement; he would not seek re-election in October. He retained the chairmanship of the Hutt River Floodplain Management Advisory Committee.
The November 28 'Leader' printed a long interview with Colin Williams. It mentioned that he was still chairman of the regional council's holding group of companies, and would be involved in setting up an organisation to run the council's joint venture managing train services.
The December 15, 2004 'Leader' reported that Trish had convened a Heretaunga committee in 1989; it had raised almost a million dollars for Te Omanga Hospice. Trish had retired, a new convener had not been found, and the other members were all getting older, so the group had disbanded.
1939; Stuart's mother widowed, with four children.
Age 15, 1947; going with 200 NZ Scouts to World Jamboree for Peace, joining 30 000 Scouts in France, led to a life-long association with Scouts. The July 30, 1997 article said over 100 would be at the August 15-17 reunion at St Patrick's College (and said there had been 40 000 at the Jamboree).
1948; polio epidemic closed Hutt Valley High School; he joined his brother Alan in a Lower Hutt hardware shop set up by his father (who had died when Stuart was 8), and his uncle. A few years later, the brothers set up Macaskill Brothers' hardware shop in Upper Hutt at 11 Main Street; initially occupying one bay of the building, they expanded to two in May 1966. The business ran for 29 years, Originally hardware, it added Parkercraft boats, Chrysler outboard motors and associated equipment in August 1972.
Stuart married Trish a fortnight after setting up the shop.
The business was sold to Jardens Home Hardware and Decorating in September or October 1982, with Stuart staying on as manager for two years. They moved to Maidstone Mall in June 1984; Stuart was pictured as their manager on July 3. The business closure was announced in the September 10, 1985 'Leader'; Stuart was 53, and had been elected chairman of the Wellington Regional Council's transport committee.
In 1971, Stuart stood for city council; he was the highest-polling candidate, and became deputy mayor four years later.
Rotary District Governor ('Leader', July 2, 1975).
In 1980 he stood for mayor against Rex Kirton and was soundly defeated, but won a seat on the new Wellington Regional Council, and became chairman of its urban transport committee.
In August 1981 he was chairman of the Upper Hutt Valley Health Care Association, and pictured with the new Sinclair Street health centte.
In a 1983 tie for the council chairmanship, Stuart lost the name draw to Mervyn Kemp, but succeeded him three years later, holding the post until he retired in 2001.
In that position, he was behind major improvements to water supply, and two storage lakes at Te Marua are named after him.
It was under his leadership that the Regional Council became a major funder of the Wellington stadium.
In June 1993 he was elected president of the local Government Association.
Other long-term associations included Heretaunga Rotary, Jaycees, the Automobile Association.
His three sons had asthma problems; eventually Stuart became vice-president of the New Zealand Asthma Society.
Awards included a Queen's Service Award for public services in the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours, and Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to local government.
The April 25, 2001 'Leader' announced his coming retirement; he would not seek re-election in October. He retained the chairmanship of the Hutt River Floodplain Management Advisory Committee.
The November 28 'Leader' printed a long interview with Colin Williams. It mentioned that he was still chairman of the regional council's holding group of companies, and would be involved in setting up an organisation to run the council's joint venture managing train services.
The December 15, 2004 'Leader' reported that Trish had convened a Heretaunga committee in 1989; it had raised almost a million dollars for Te Omanga Hospice. Trish had retired, a new convener had not been found, and the other members were all getting older, so the group had disbanded.
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Details
Date of Birth9th December 1931Place of BirthLower HuttDate of Death6th December 2012Place of DeathLower HuttSexMale
Place of BirthLower HuttDate of Death6th December 2012Place of DeathLower HuttSexMaleMarriage
WifePatricia ("Trish")
Family
SiblingAlan Macaskill
Macaskill, Stuart Alisdair. Upper Hutt City Library, accessed 10/02/2025, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/21853