More Info →Joe and Eileen Walding, Palmerston North

Joseph Albert Walding was Labour Member of Parliament for Palmerston North from 1967-1975 and 1978-1981. This photograph was taken on election night, 25 November 1978, when Mr Walding regained the Palmerston North electorate with an election night majority of 2601. Mr Walding was born in Christchurch 18 June 1926, the son of Joseph Stephen Walding. He served in the Merchant Navy during WWII and married his wife Eileen 20 May 1950. They had six daughters. Mr Walding was educated at Christian Brothers, Dunedin. He was a Palmerston North City Councillor from 1959-1968 and was the Minister of Overseas Trade, Minister of Recreation and Sport and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Labour Government from 1972-1975. In late 1984, he was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. On 5 June 1985, three months after starting the position, he died in London.