Ralph Hanan

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(1969-07-24) (aged 60) Cairns, Australia
Resting place	Saint Johns Cemetery, Invercargill
Political party	National
Relations	Josiah Hanan (uncle) Susanna Hanan (aunt)
Military service
Allegiance	New Zealand
Branch/service	New Zealand Army
Years of service	1941–1944
Rank	Captain
Unit	20th Battalion
Battles/wars	World War II First Battle of El Alamein Italian campaign

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.