Politician. Sir Francis Joseph Kitts was a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament for Wellington Central between 1954 and 1960, serving from 1956 as Mayor of Wellington for eighteen years, marking him as the longest-serving mayor of the city. At the age of sixteen, Kirk joined the Timaru branch of the Labour Party but after unsuccessful attempts to join the local borough council, and following his time as Staff Sergeant with the Home Forces during the Second World War, Kitts went to Wellington, where he worked a clerical role for the Government Stores Board. Here, he became the vice-president of the Wellington Central branch of the Labour Party in 1947. In 1966, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor for services as mayor of Wellington. Frank Kitts Park, on Wellington's waterfront, is named in his honour.
Politician. Sir Francis Joseph Kitts was a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament for Wellington Central between 1954 and 1960, serving from 1956 as Mayor of Wellington for eighteen years, marking him as the longest-serving mayor of the city. At the age of sixteen, Kirk joined the Timaru branch of the Labour Party but after unsuccessful attempts to join the local borough council, and following his time as Staff Sergeant with the Home Forces during the Second World War, Kitts went to Wellington, where he worked a clerical role for the Government Stores Board. Here, he became the vice-president of the Wellington Central branch of the Labour Party in 1947. In 1966, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor for services as mayor of Wellington. Frank Kitts Park, on Wellington's waterfront, is named in his honour.
Bio by: Thomas Fairweather
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