(1901– ).

Leader, parliamentary Labour Party.

A new biography of Nordmeyer, Arnold Henry appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

Arnold Henry Nordmeyer was born at Hope Street, Dunedin, on 5 January 1901, the son of Arnold Nordmeyer, a seaman from Elsfleth, Germany, and Martha, née Walker. He was educated at Waitaki Boys' High School, Otago University, and Knox Theological Hall, Dunedin, gaining the degree of B.A. and a diploma in social science. He was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church in 1925 and was stationed at Kurow church, North Otago, for the next 10 years. In 1935 he resigned from this position to contest the Oamaru seat in the interests of the Labour Party at the general elections. He was successful and represented this electorate until 1949, when he was defeated. Two years later he was returned to fill the vacancy in the electorate of Brooklyn, Wellington (subsequently absorbed in Island Bay), caused by the death of Peter Fraser. Arnold Nordmeyer has held various portfolios during the Labour terms of office, including that of Minister of Health (1941–47), Industries and Commerce (1947–49), and Finance (1957–60). From 1940 to 1950 he was vice-president and, in 1950–55, president of the Labour Party. In 1963 he became leader of the parliamentary Labour Party in succession to Sir Walter Nash.