Jim Bateman

James Alder "Jim" Bateman (5 April 1925 – 1987) was a New Zealand politician and educationalist.

Early life

In 1949, Bateman graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Master of Arts and Diploma of Education. After graduating he began a career in teaching and taught at Wellington High School, later becoming first assistant Principal. Bateman was to later serve as Principal of the Central Institute of Technology.

Political career

Bateman stood for the Karori electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives in the 1951 and 1954 general elections for the Labour Party. He was unsuccessful placing second on both occasions.

He was a long serving member of the Labour Party, deeply involved at its organizational level. He sat for many years on Labour's National Executive, and twice served as the party's Vice-President. Bateman proved to be an effective administrator particularly as he was free from the maelstrom of party politics which other party office holders (who were mostly MPs) were subject to. Bateman stood for President in 1964 on the retirement of Martyn Finlay but was beaten by Norman Kirk by 401 votes to 106.

In 1953 Bateman won a seat on the Wellington City Council on a Labour ticket which he was to hold until 1962.