Brian Elwood

Sir Brian Elwood CBE JP
President of the International Ombudsman Institute
In office 1999–2002
5th New Zealand Chief Ombudsman
In office December 1994 – June 2003
Preceded by	John Robertson
Succeeded by	John Belgrave
23rd Mayor of Palmerston North
In office 1971–1985
Preceded by	Desmond Barry Black
Succeeded by	Paul Rieger
Personal details
Born	Brian George Conway Elwood 5 April 1933
Political party	National Party
Profession	Barrister

Sir Brian George Conway Elwood CBE JP (born 5 April 1933) is a former New Zealand lawyer, politician, and public servant. He served as mayor of Palmerston North from 1971 to 1985, and was the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand from December 1994 to June 2003. In the latter role, he was responsible for investigating complaints against central and local government agencies, including Ministers of the Crown.

Elwood was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School.

Elwood is a barrister and solicitor. He was first elected to the Palmerston North City Council in 1968 and became the mayor from 1971 to 1985. He was an executive member of the Municipal Association of New Zealand from 1974 to 1985, and president of the association from 1976 to 1979. Other positions were chairman of the Manawatu United Council, member of the Wellington Harbour Board, Commissioner for the Wellington Area Health Board and a member of the Massey University Council.

Elwood contested the Palmerston North electorate in the 1981 election for the National Party. He was defeated by Labour's Trevor de Cleene, with whom he had a long-standing rivalry.

Elwood was chairman of the Local Government Commission from 1 April 1985 to 1 November 1992. In 1989 this commission undertook a major review of local government in New Zealand. With backing from the Local Government Minister Michael Bassett, the commission reduced the number of councils from more than 800 to fewer than 100. The council decided that the new Regional councils were to be based around watersheds.

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