Frank Kitts

Sir Francis Joseph (Frank) Kitts (1912 - 1979) was the longest-serving Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand, having held the post from 1956 to 1974. He was the Labour Member of Parliament for Wellington Central from 1954 to 1960, when he was defeated.

Kitts was on the Wellington City Council from 1950 to 1956, when he became Mayor. He also served on the Wellington Harbour Board from 1950, the Wellington Fire Board from 1954, and the Wellington Hospital Board from 1950 to 1956.

Kitts was known for his tireless public service, which continued after his retirement, including to Wellington's immigrant community. He was born in South Canterbury, and died a few years after his term ended. He was knighted in 1966.

Frank Kitts Park on Wellington's waterfront is named after him. The park, on the site formerly used for a row of wharf sheds, was opened in 1976 and extended in the late 1980s. There is a children's playground, the orange foremast recovered from the "Wahine", and a water sculpture "The Albatross" by Tanya Ashken.