Mayor Wayne Guppy pays respect to former Mayor Rex Kirton

Published on 05 June 2024

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of former Upper Hutt Mayor Rex Kirton.

Rex was first elected to council in 1974.

After three years as a councillor, he announced he would stand for mayor and held the position from 1977 to 2001.

In the 1997 New Year’s Honours, Rex was awarded a Queen's Service Order for public services.

He announced his retirement from the mayoralty on August 14, 2001, and was then elected to the regional council as Upper Hutt representative, a position he held until 2010.

Rex was also chairman of the regional council's parks, forests and utilities committee.

Kirton Drive,  of Riverstone Terrace, is named after him.

Rex’s contribution to our city will be fondly remembered by our communities.

Our thoughts are with his family during this time.