Ralph Hanan | |
|---|---|
 Ralph Hanan, circa 1946 | |
| 17th Minister of Health | |
| In office 26 November 1954 – 12 December 1957 | |
| Prime Minister | Sidney Holland Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Jack Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Rex Mason |
| 20th Attorney-General | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 24 July 1969 | |
| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Rex Mason |
| Succeeded by | Jack Marshall |
| 33rd Minister of Justice | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 24 July 1969 | |
| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Rex Mason |
| Succeeded by | Dan Riddiford |
| 31st Minister of Maori Affairs | |
| In office 12 December 1960 – 24 July 1969 | |
| Prime Minister | Keith Holyoake |
| Preceded by | Walter Nash |
| Succeeded by | Duncan MacIntyre |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Invercargill | |
| In office 1946–1969 | |
| Preceded by | William Denham |
| Succeeded by | John Chewings |
| 33rd Mayor of Invercargill | |
| In office 1938–1941 | |
| Preceded by | John Miller |
| Succeeded by | John Robert Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1909 Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Died | 24 July 1969 (aged 60) Cairns, Australia |
| Resting place | Saint Johns Cemetery, Invercargill |
| Political party | National |
| Relations |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  New Zealand |
| Branch/service | New Zealand Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1944 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 20th Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
Josiah Ralph Hanan (13 June 1909 – 24 July 1969), known as Ralph Hanan, was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was Mayor of Invercargill and then represented the Invercargill electorate in Parliament, following in his uncle Josiah Hanan's footsteps. He served in World War II and his injuries ultimately caused his death at age 60. He is best remembered for the abolition of the death penalty, which had been suspended by the Labour Party, but which National was to reintroduce. As Minister of Justice, it was Hanan's role to introduce the legislation to Parliament, but he convinced enough of his party colleagues to vote with the opposition and thus abolished the death penalty in New Zealand.