William Gillespie (New Zealand politician)

William Henry Gillespie (14 August 1893 – 23 April 1961) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was a cabinet minister from 1960 to 1961.

Biography
Gillespie was born in 1893. He received his education at Ashley Gorge and Oxford District High School, and left school aged 13 following his father's death.

He represented the Canterbury electorate of Hurunui from 1943 to 1961, when he died, causing the for Hurunui.

From 1958 to 1960 he was Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Lands while National was in opposition. At the formation of the Second National Government he was appointed a member of Cabinet, having been designated as Minister of Agriculture on 12 December 1960. He was Chairman of the Board of Canterbury Agricultural College from 1951 until 1960.

In 1953, Gillespie was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.