Frank Kitts

Who was Frank Kitts?

Sir Francis "Frank" Joseph Kitts was the longest-serving Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand, having held the post from 1956 to 1974. He was the Labour Member of Parliament for Wellington Central from 1954 to 1960, when he was defeated by the National candidate Dan Riddiford.

Kitts stood unsuccessfully for Labour in two elections, in 1949 for Waitomo, and in 1951 for Mount Victoria.

Kitts was on the Wellington City Council from 1950 to 1956, when he became Mayor. In 1950 the Labour Party had no obvious mayoral candidate, and Labour councillor Gerald O'Brien suggested to Kitts, then a civil servant in the Government Stores Board, that he should stand. Kitts was the highest-polling councillor, although he did not win the mayoralty until 1956. Like Norman Kirk, also from Waimate, he was a big man, using his imposing six foot two inch, 17 stone frame to overshadow his opponents.

He also served on the Wellington Harbour Board from 1950 to 1979, the Wellington Fire Board from 1954, and the Wellington Hospital Board from 1950 to 1956.

Kitts was known for his tireless public service, which continued after his retirement, including helping Wellington's immigrant community. He was born in Waimate, South Canterbury. He was knighted in 1966, and when he died in 1979 he was still on the Wellington Harbour Board.