Esme Tombleson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Gisborne | |
| In office 1960–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Reginald Keeling |
| Succeeded by | Trevor Davey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Esme Irene Lawson 1 August 1917 Sydney, Australia |
| Died | 30 July 2010 (aged 92) Gisborne, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Residence(s) | Burnage Station, Gisborne |
| Occupation | civil service, Member of Parliament |
| Profession | ballet, theatre |
Esme Irene Tombleson CBE QSO (née Lawson; 1 August 1917 – 30 July 2010) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party. An Australian child prodigy who recited Shakespeare, she had a career in theatre and ballet. During the war, her sharp mind and strong memory was recognised, and she became a civil servant. She came to New Zealand through marriage, and lived on rural land near Gisborne. She represented the Gisborne electorate in Parliament for 12 years, and was prominent as a campaigner for multiple sclerosis.