David Buddo (23 August 1853 – 8 December 1937) was a New Zealand politician and member of the Liberal Party.

Early life

Buddo was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1853. His father was a surgeon with the Indian civil service. He grew up in a rural environment. He became an engineer in Perth, Scotland and came to New Zealand in c. 1874 or 1877. He married Janet Buddo (née Rollo) in 1886. His wife's cousin, Helen Ann Rollo Buddo, became an orphan in infancy and was brought up by them together with their own children. Helen Buddo married Bryan Todd.

Political career

He was a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the Kaiapoi electorate (with two interruptions, when he was defeated) from: 1893–96, 1899–1919, and 1922–28. He was a Cabinet minister, serving in the cabinet of Sir Joseph Ward between 1909 and 1912 as Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Health. After retiring from Parliament in 1928, Buddo was appointed to the Legislative Council, and served one seven-year term from 11 June 1930 to 10 June 1937, when his term ended. He was a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board from 1897 to 1907. In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.

Death

Buddo collapsed on 8 December 1937 while in the office of the Christchurch Gas, Coal and Coke Company. He died on his way to hospital. He was buried at Waimairi Cemetery. Janet Buddo survived her husband until 1945. Helen Todd survived her husband, who died in 1987.