Smith, Jackson Biography 1991

SMITH, Jackson
Trade Unionist: President, NZ Drivers Federation
Born Whakaki, Hawke’s Bay, 15 February 1936, son of Renata Pukututu Smith and Heni Matekino (nee Robin); married (1) Barbara Dawn Holden, daughter of Mr and Mrs Norman Holden, 1957 (dissolved 1969); (2) Olive May Imrie, daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Imrie, 1970; three sons four daughters.
Educated: Nuhaka Maori Primary School; Wairoa College (Hawke’s Bay), St Stephen’s College, Auckland; Ardmore Teachers’ College (pressure cooker course).
School teacher 2 years then freezing worker, fencer, scrub cutter, builder’s labourer, driver
Organiser, Wellington Drivers’ Union, 1969; President, Manawatu Trades Council, 1974-77; Member, Federation of Labour National Council, 1974-78; Secretary, Wellington Drivers’ Union 1978-, Wellington-Wanganui Drivers’ Union 1984-, Wellington-Wanganui-Taranaki Drivers’ Union 1988-;
Current President, NZ Drivers’ Federation; Chief Advocate: NZ Carriers’ award, NZ Contractors award, NZ Ancillary award, NZ Local Authority award; Leader, trade union delegations Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, India
Member Government Task Force, trade union education, 1986-88; Member Labour Court 1988-, Arbitration Commission 1988-.
Chairman, Te Runanga-te-Upoko-te-Ika Maori Access; Committee Member, Te Runanga-te-Upoko-te-Ika Authority; Chairman, Maori Access, Wellington; Member, Iwi Authority, Wellington; Facilitator, Hui Tamata (summit conference); Member, Socialist Unity Party, 1973-.
Sports: Rugby: Counties Representative 1953-54 (at age 16), Hawke’s Bay Juniors 1954-55; later Administrator, Coach, Selector, Vice-Chairman, NZ Maori Advisory Board 1974-78; Rugby League: NZ Emerging Players 1957, Central Manawatu Representative later; reinstated to rugby code 1960s.
Recreations: golf, spectator (all sports).
Address: 175 Newland Road, Wellington