[1] Mackenzie was born in Tiruchirappalli, India, the son of an officer in the colonial Indian Army.
He became a Table Cape road trustee in 1857, serving until it was superseded by the municipal council system, a Justice of the Peace in 1864, and a member of the marine board in 1865.
Amongst his touted achievements as an MP was winning support for the Burnie breakwater and the Ulverstone-Burnie railway extension.
He retired from the House at the 1909 election and contested the Legislative Council seat of Russell, but was unsuccessful.
[2][4] He remained politically involved, and was appointed the inaugural honorary secretary of the Wynyard branch of the Anti-Socialist League following his defeat.