Rex Austin MBE

Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loving father and brother. R.I.P Rex . Trish staff R.J.

A real gentleman. Remember pressing in the Austin woodshed over 40 years ago and Rex coming into have a yarn.
My sympathies to the family.

I remember Rex very well from National Party Days. Chewings and Templeton lost their seats over Manapouri. Rex and Norman held there's because they listened to the folks. Rex was truly one of natures Gentlemen. My sincere condolences to the family.
Alan King. Salt Lake City.

At a Hui of SILNA land owners held at Invercargill 21st and 22nd April 1990 the late Rex Austin was elected as the chairman of a body called Rau Murihiku Whenua Maori . This group consisted of Rex as chairman, John Southerwood, Huata Holmes, Mihiata Retimana,, Rewi Anglem, Peter Orbell, and Ken McAnergney secretary.
It was set up to attempt to come to a binding agreement with ‘’The Crown” over the rights of owners of SILNA- South Island Landless Natives Act lands to use their land and its resources in accordance with what the land had originally been granted for, and if such freedom was not successfully achieved, then compensation would be sought and then paid by The Crown to the said SILNA Land Owners for their Lost Commercial Opportunity..

We were very ably lead by Rex over a period of years largely to no avail. However on instructions from Rex , I filed a claim with The Waitangi Tribunal on 23rd July 1990 known as WAI 158 The SILNA Claim . We are still waiting for this claim to be heard 32 years later.

Rex was a very skilled and able leader of RMWM and greatly respected as an opener of many doors in The Corridors of Power in Wellington.

Haere ki ou tupuna ratou kua wheturangitia e kanakana mai ana i te korowai o Rangi.

Ken McAnergney. Waitaha

As a child at my parent's crib at Colac Bay, I first saw Rex as a quiet, welcoming young farmer living on the hill overlooking the bay who let us go fishing on his property. Later, as a reporter for The Southland Times, I knew him as the MP for Awarua, somebody who always had a worthy and noble purpose, never a rowdy political attention-seeker, just someone who wanted to do his best for those he represented and the issues he saw as important, somebody you never forgot. My sympathies to his family. .

The Association of Former Members of Parliament extends its deepest sympathy and condolences on your recent sad loss.

To the Austin family, Our sincere sympathy to you all on the loss of your eldest brother. Rex. God bless,

To all The Austin Family
Sincere sympathy to you all in the loss of your Father and Grandfather. I have fond memories of Rex at Colac Bay.

Nothing but good memories of Rex. Worked on his Awarua election campaigns, a pleasure to be associated with his team and appreciated for his re-elections. Was privileged to be in Parliament for his maiden speech, it was superb. My condolences to all the wider Austin family. Dave Stewart.

To his children & his family. I have lovely memories of growing up at Pahia in the 1950’s with Rex often joining us for a meal or just a visit. His skill as a pianist was often shown on our Mum’s piano, to our amazement he could play anything wonderfully without music!! He was a very gifted man in so many ways & used his talents wisely throughout his life. Good memories will be held by you all.

My condolences to the Austin families on the sad loss of a loved brother and father.

My condolences to the Austin family and particularly to Mark, a valued ex-pupil who I taught mathematics when I first arrived in Invercargill.
You have my deepest sympathy, Mark, over the loss of your father. Russell Dear

Sad to hear of Rex's passing. Arohanui Fisher-McCulloch-Waitiri whanau.

Jane Rout - nee Bradshaw. I've only just found out about Uncle Rex's passing. My condolences to all the family. Uncle Rex's mother and my grandmother were sisters. I have wonderful memories of visiting the family at Wakapatu with my father, Maru Bradshaw son of Mercy Bradshaw. Happy memories of Uncle Rex, golf carts in Queenstown and dining with him at Bellamies! Rest in peace Uncle Rex.