Draft:John Strevens

Walter John Strevens (born 1937) was a prominent New Zealand politician and businessman.

Local-body politics

Strevens started his political career as the President of the Auckland University Students Association (1960 to 1962) [fn1]. He was also a member of the Auckland University Council between 1964 and 1969 [fn1]. As chair of the Student Union Building Committee between 1961 to 1968, Strevens played a key role in establishing the Auckland University Student Building. He was National Party Candidate for Auckland Central in the 1963 general election but was unsuccessful. Strevens was elected to the Auckland City Council on the Citizens & Ratepayers ticket in 1971 and remained on Council until 1998 [fn1]. He served as Deputy Mayor between 1980 and 1986 under Mayors Sir Dove Myer Robertson, Colin Kay and Catherine Tizard. Strevens held the position of member of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority from 1975 [fn1]. Strevens was also Chair of the Aotea Centre Board of Management from its opening until he resigned in 1993 [fn2].

As Chair of the Council's Finance Committee, Traffic Committee and Organisation and Staffing Committee, and particularly during his time as Deputy Mayor, Strevens exerted significant control over Council. He was described as "C and R strongman" who "prefer[ed] to direct council operations from the No.2 seat from where he [could] probably exercise if not more control than the mayor" [fn4]. His Council achievements included being a key contributor to the establishment of Aotea Centre. Strevens also played a key role in promoting the restoration of the Auckland Art Gallery (completed in 1983), ensuring it was a top priority in the Council's capital works programme [fn3]. Additionally, Strevens was a key figure in helping save the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) following the financial crisis in 1983 when MOTATS's management committee wanted to close the museum when it was unable to pay its debts.[fn5]

Business career

Strevens clerked at Porter, Wall, Wigglesworth and Co between 1956 and 1958 [fn1]. In 1959, Strevens joined his father in his family's retail business [fn1]. Strevens family also owned a large cattle farm in Takanini, which subsequently became the site of the Conifer Grove neighbourhood [fn6]. During the 1980's Strevens was Chair of NZX listed companies: Leyland Investments Limited and Leyland Growth Limited. In 1988, Leyland Growth was sold to Mainzeal Group Limited.

Personal life

Strevens was born in July 1937 at Auckland to Walter Joseph and Hilma Jane Strevens. He was educated at St Ignatius Convent, Sacred Heart College and Auckland University. He graduated with a Bachelors of Arts and Commerce, and become a chartered accountant. Strevens married Katherine Allardyce in June 1969 and together they have 5 children: Kate, Sarah, Helen, Brigid and Joseph [fn1] and 12 grandchildren: Antony, Alessandra, James, Oliver, Francis, Sophie, India, Helena, Celia, Andrew, Margeurite, Harry and James. Strevens is a life member of Auckland University Club [fn1] and an honorary member of the Northern Club.

St Anns

St Anns (43 Arney Road) was designed by Charles Bidwell and built by Charles Isaac Nathan (1881-1961) in 1921. The Nathan family resided at St Anns for forty years before selling it to the New Zealand Government. In 1983, John and Katherine Strevens purchased St Anns and extensively renovated the house. Notable additions included the dining room (hand-painted in the style of Chinese wallpaper with more than 60 birds), altering the exterior of the house with the construction of a two-storey bay window on the southern bay of the eastern elevation (in the character of Lutyens-influenced Arts and Crafts design) and the creation of a two-storey library based on Sir Walter Scott’s library. In 2006, John and Katherine Strevens redeveloped the existing garden into a series of terraces with a box maze and cherry tree walk [fn7]. A folly, coated in copper plates, was created at the end of the garden from a design created by their daughter Helen. After 38 years in residence, John and Katherine Strevens sold St Anns in July 2021. Its copper folly was donated and relocated to Hamilton Gardens in 2024.

fn1: New Zealand's Who's Who: 1978, page 448

fn2: https://natlib.govt.nz/records/30727462?search%5Bpath%5D=items&search%5Btext%5D=john+strevens

fn3: https://art-newzealand.com/27-acag/

fn4: Auckland Metro, October 1983, page 140

fn5: https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35862628?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject_text%5D=Museum+finance&search%5Bpath%5D=items

fn6: https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/42002/

fn7: https://remueraheritage.org.nz/story/st-anns-43-arney-road/