Lees, Lionel Deacon, 1906-1998 (Person)

SummaryLionel Deacon Lees was a Tauranga-born civic leader, lawyer, and Ngāti Pūkenga descendant whose career bridged law, public service, and community governance. He began his education at Tauranga Primary School, Auckland Boys Grammar and and graduated in law from Auckland University College. He spent 15 years in Auckland where he worked as a manager and director in manufacturing and commercial enterprises, maintained a private law practice, and served as solicitor to a Crown department with a strong focus on court work.

Returning to Tauranga in 1939, he opened a law practice while also farming at Pāpāmoa. In 1940 he joined the office of H.O.Cooney. He moved into the Tauranga borough in 1943 and entered local politics in 1944. Lees served three terms on the Tauranga Borough Council, including a term as Deputy Mayor, and stood unsuccessfully for the mayoralty in a 1952 by-election following the resignation of the Hon. W. E. Barnard.

He was a long-serving member of the Tauranga Fire Board, and chaired the Tauranga Primary School Committee for three terms prior to relocating to Ōtūmoetai.

6 years on the Tauranga Harbour Board.
His public service extended to leadership in the Tauranga Power Board and representation of Ngāti Pūkenga interests. He was known for his bicultural identity, civic leadership, and contributions to regional infrastructure development.

He was awarded an MBE for Outstanding Service to the Community in 1967.

In 1998, Lees was interviewed by Jinty Rorke for Tauranga City Libraries’ Within Their Lifetimes oral history series.SourcesCommunity mentor mourned » Bay of Plenty Times, 20 June 1998.Lawyer reviews his 40 years » Bay of Plenty Times, 13 May 1978.8

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama Tauranga City Libraries Lees, Lionel Deacon, 1906-1998 (Person)

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IwiNgāti Pūkenga

Personal Information

First Name(s)Lionel DeaconSurnameLeesGenderMaleDate of Birth10 December 1906Place of BirthTaurangaDate of Death1998Place of DeathTauranga

Whānau

MotherMary Tokerau Asher (1875-1967)FatherFrederick Lees (1874-1935)ChildrenJulian Lees

Partner

PartnerAnnie Elizabeth Edwards (1908-1998)

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Lees, Lionel Deacon, 1906-1998 (Person)