George Sykes (New Zealand politician)

George Robert Sykes (18 November 1867 – 23 March 1957) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for the Masterton electorate in the North Island.

[1] Sykes was a member of the Reform Party, but in 1919 successfully stood as an Independent for Masterton,[2][3] whilst some commentators questioned whether the independent Reform candidates in 1919 were not just trying to attract votes from the 'unwary'.

[6] When he left school he was a telegraph messenger and operator, then he became a farmer and breeder of Romney sheep.

[8] Sykes died on 23 March 1957, aged 89, and was buried in the historic Christ Church in Taitā, Hutt Valley.

A memorial to him was erected in the Archer Street Cemetery, Masterton on 31 July 1957.