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Ruth Gotlieb

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Ruth Gotlieb
QSO
Gotlieb in 2017
Wellington City Councillor for Eastern Ward
In office
11 October 1986 – 13 October 2001
Preceded byward established
Succeeded byDavid Major
Personal details
Born
Ruth Wolman

(1923-05-16)16 May 1923
England
Died23 July 2019(2019-07-23) (aged 96)
Wellington, New Zealand
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		National (past)
Spouse
Gerald Gotlieb
​
​
(m. 1951; died 2006)​
Children4

Ruth Gotlieb QSO (née Wolman, 16 May 1923 – 23 July 2019) was a local politician in Wellington, New Zealand, serving as a Wellington City Councillor from 1983 to 2001.

Biography

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Early life and career

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Gotlieb was born in England on 16 May 1923,[1] the daughter of Joseph and Reka Wolman.[2] The family moved to Cork, Ireland, when her father was appointed a rabbi there.[3] When she was a teenager she and her family moved again, to Brisbane, Australia, as her father had been appointed chief rabbi for the city.[4] During World War II, Gotlieb joined the Signal Corps and became a Morse operator. In the 1940s, she moved to Wellington and started a pretzel business with her husband, Gerry Gotlieb, whom she married in 1951.[5][6] The couple went on to have four children.[2]

Political career

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Gotlieb served on the Wellington City Council from 1983 to 2001, mostly representing the Eastern ward. She also served on the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Wellington Harbour Board and the Capital and Coast District Health Board.[5]

Gotlieb first ran for office in 1980 as part of the new "Rates Reform" ticket started by Bryan Weyburne. She polled much higher than the rest of the Rates Reform ticket but was unsuccessful. By the following election the Rates Reform movement had merged into the Citizens' Association and she was elected as councillor on the Citizens' ticket.[7][8]

In 1986 Gotlieb was elected to the Eastern ward (previous elections had been at large). In 1987 she contested the National Party nomination for the electorate of Miramar (which encompassed the Eastern ward), but lost out to Ian Macfarlane, president of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. Gotlieb said that the selection process had been a "wonderful experience" and had been "vey glad" to be part of it.[9][10]

Gotlieb was sacked from her part-time job as a private secretary to Ian Lockie, Rawleigh's Australia and New Zealand general manager, because she devoted "too much time" to being a councillor. Gotlieb said she did not blame the company and though she would like to say she resigned, she did not. She stated "I loved my little job, but I loved being a councillor more." Lockie stated "She would bend over backward to help and she was scrupulously fair", but the system could not work and in the end she was regrettably asked to go.[11]

In 1992 she vied for the Citizens' nomination for mayor, but was beaten by former National MP Ken Comber. She then broke with the Citizens' Association and ran as an independent candidate. When announcing her candidature for the mayoralty she said "I expect to win. People know I won't make promises I can't keep and I will keep the promises I do make. I get things done and I care about this city."[12] Citizens' Association president John Liddiard described Gotlieb as disloyal upon receiving her letter of resignation from the association. Liddiard expressed his doubts Gotlieb could win the mayoralty stating "I think she's made a big mistake, politically and personally." Gotlieb said she was furious with Liddiard's reaction stating "I am disgusted."[13] She finished fifth with 10.23% of the vote, but was re-elected in the Eastern ward comfortably, remaining in this position until 2001, when she was succeeded by David Major.[14]

During her career she was responsible for a number of achievements. She established the Wellington Youth Council, supported the opening of a mobile library service, pressed for the installation of a hydrotherapy pool at Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre, and contributed to the governance of the upgrade of Wellington Hospital. She was also heavily involved with the failed arts festival Sesqui 1990.[15]

Later life and death

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Organisations that Gotlieb volunteered for included Trade Aid, the Wellington branch of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, the Newtown Community Centre, Eva's Attic, Ronald McDonald House, and Mary Potter Hospice.[5] In 2007 she made a failed attempt to re-enter politics, standing unsuccessfully in the Eastern ward.[16]

Gotlieb died in Wellington on 23 July 2019.[17] She was 96 years old.[3]

Recognition

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Ruth Gotlieb Library, Kilbirnie

In the 1995 New Year Honours, Gotlieb was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.[18] In 2000, the Wellington City Council named the Kilbirnie public library after her in recognition of her extensive contribution to library services.[19] In 2010, she was named Wellingtonian of the Year.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Ruth Gotlieb: passionate advocate for Wellington and its people". Stuff New Zealand. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). "New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001". New Zealand Who's Who, Aotearoa. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers: 381–382. ISSN 1172-9813.
  3. ^ a b NZFOI (22 July 2019). "Long-serving Wellington and Jewish politician Ruth Gotlieb dies aged 96 | Stuff". NZ Friends of Israel Association Inc. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  4. ^ Thoth, Gabor. "Ruth Gotlieb – Part 1". www.wcl.govt.nz. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Long-serving Wellington politician Ruth Gotlieb dies aged 96". Stuff. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  6. ^ Dekker, Diana (31 August 2006). "Flying-obsessed furniture maker". The Dominion Post. p. 7.
  7. ^ "Citizens includes former opponents". The Dominion. 1 July 1983.
  8. ^ "Local Body Polls '83". The Evening Post. 10 October 1983.
  9. ^ "City councillor seeks Miramar nomination". The Dominion. 12 March 1987.
  10. ^ Strum, Debra (1 April 1987). "PR man wins tussle for Miramar". The Evening Post.
  11. ^ Busby, Anita (2 February 1987). "Diligent work gets councillor sacked". The Dominion.
  12. ^ O'Leary, Eileen (18 March 1992). "Wilde asked to run for Mayor". The Evening Post. p. 3.
  13. ^ "Moore wants Wilde to remain MP". The Dominion. 19 March 1992. pp. 1, 3.
  14. ^ Bly, Ross (1992). City of Wellington: Local Body Elections, 1992 (Report). Wellington City Council.
  15. ^ "Wellington.scoop.co.nz » Death of Ruth Gotlieb, city councillor for 18 years". Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  16. ^ "Eastern Ward". Wellington City Council. 15 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Ruth Gotlieb death notice". The Dominion Post. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  18. ^ "No. 53894". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1994. p. 34.
  19. ^ a b "Former Wellington councillor, campaigner Ruth Gotlieb dies". RNZ News. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
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Political offices
New title
ward established
 Wellington City Councillor for Eastern Ward
1986–2001 		Succeeded by
David Major
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