David Ernest Walter QSO JP (25 November 1939 – 5 September 2020) was a New Zealand politician and journalist.
He developed a knack for historical stories and human interest tales, and in 1977 accepted the role of honorary county historian, with the aim of producing a publication for the 1990 centennial.
[3] The Stratford Inheritance was published in 1990 and authored by Ian Church, with significant input from Walter's work.
Walter was duly elected as the first mayor of Stratford District Council, a position he held for three terms (nine years) until retiring in 1998.
He chaired the TSB Community Trust, served as a director of TSB Bank, and represented the Regional Council on the board of Westgate Transport Ltd.[7] In 1990, Walter was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.