William MacDonald (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable William MacDonald MP
William MacDonald in ca 1910
7th Leader of the Opposition
In office 21 January 1920 – 31 August 1920
Deputy	Thomas Wilford
Preceded by	Joseph Ward
Succeeded by	Thomas Wilford
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Bay of Plenty
In office 17 November 1908 – 31 August 1920
Preceded by	William Herries
Succeeded by	Kenneth Williams
Personal details
Born	1862
Died	31 August 1920
Political party	Liberal

William Donald Stuart MacDonald (1862 – 31 August 1920) was a New Zealand politician, Cabinet Minister, and briefly Leader of the Opposition.

MacDonald was born in Victoria in 1862. He emigrated to Poverty Bay in New Zealand in 1882. He managed several sheep stations during his career.

He was Member of the House of Representatives for the Bay of Plenty from 1908 to 1920. He served as Minister of Public Works and Minister of Māori Affairs in the short lived 1912 cabinet of Thomas Mackenzie. He also served in the wartime (1915–19) National cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Mines and Minister in Charge of the Legislative, Public Buildings, Inspection of Machinery, State Fire and Accident Insurance Departments.

In 1919, following Joseph Ward's failure to gain re-election, MacDonald was elected leader of the Liberal Party. He filled that role until his death in 1920.

MacDonald died suddenly in his Kelburn home of a heart attack aged 56. He left a widow, two sons and three daughters.