Introduction
John Wallace Ridley QSO (29 April 1919 – 23 August 2006) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Taupo in the North Island, a Rhodes Scholar and a civil engineer. He was awarded the QSO and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for services to New Zealand. He was notable for his contributions to hydro engineering.
Early years
Ridley was born in Invercargill, New Zealand in 1919. He attended Timaru Boys' High School and then studied engineering at Canterbury University in Christchurch. After the Second World War (in which he served as an engineering officer) he spent two years, 1946–1947, as a Rhodes Scholar at University College, Oxford University, graduating with an MA (Honours) in engineering science. He married Avis (née Reed) in 1949.
Ridley was a civil engineer of dams for power schemes like Benmore Dam in the South Island and Wairakei in the North Island, working for the Ministry of Works and Development. For his contributions, he was awarded with the Fulton Gold Medal, at the time the highest award of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers.
Political career
Member of Parliament
| New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1972–1975 | 37th | Taupo | Labour | |
| 1978–1981 | 39th | Taupo | Labour | |
Ridley was the MP for Taupo for six years from 1972 to 1975, and from 1978 to 1981.
He was once asked why there were so few engineers in Parliament, to which he replied: "Because engineers are realists and politicians are idealists."
Independent
In 1984 Ridley stood in the new Tongariro electorate as an Independent but was not successful. A large proportion of the Tongariro electorate had been part of Taupo.
Death
Ridley died in Auckland on 23 August 2006. He was survived by his wife and four sons.