Robert Macfarlane (New Zealand politician)

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Sir Robert Mafeking Macfarlane (1900–1981) was a New Zealand Labour Party politician who served in many roles. Born in Christchurch, his middle name Mafeking came from the Boer War town, and he later took the surname Macfarlane after his mother remarried. He married Louisa Jacobs in 1932 and they had two daughters. Macfarlane was a Christchurch City Councillor for several periods and served as mayor twice (1938–1941 and 1950–1958). He also sat on the Lyttelton Harbour Board.

He entered Parliament in 1939, representing Christchurch South (1939–1946) and then Christchurch Central (1946–1969) before retiring. He was Labour’s junior whip in 1947 and then its senior whip until 1951. Macfarlane became the 14th Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1957 to 1960 during the Second Labour Government, known for guiding the house with practical, common-sense rulings despite his occasional hearing difficulties.

During World War II, he served in the Middle East with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force for about two and a half years. His honors include the Coronation Medal (1953) and the Order of St Michael and St George (Companion in 1954; Knight Commander in 1974). He died in Christchurch on 2 December 1981 at age 81.