Mervyn Probine

New Zealand physicist and public servant (1924–2010)

Mervyn Probine

CB FRSNZ

Chairman of the State Services Commission
In office
1981–1986
Prime Minister| Robert Muldoon
David Lange
Preceded by| Robin Williams
Succeeded by| Roderick Deane
Personal details
Born| (1924-04-30)30 April 1924
Auckland, New Zealand
Died| 17 April 2010(2010-04-17) (aged 85)
Auckland, New Zealand
Spouse|

Marjorie Walker

(m. 1949)​

Children| 2
Alma mater| University of Leeds
Scientific career
Fields| Biophysics
Thesis| Molecular structure and mechanical properties of plant cell walls in relation to growth (1959)

Mervyn Charles Probine CB FRSNZ (30 April 1924 – 17 April 2010) was a New Zealand physicist and public servant. He served as chairman of the State Services Commission between 1981 and 1986.

## Early life and family[edit]

Born in Auckland on 30 April 1924, Probine was the son of Frederick Charles Probine and Annie Kathleen Probine (née Polson).[1] He married Marjorie Walker in 1949, and the couple went on to have two children.[2]

## Career[edit]

Probine joined the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) as a draughtsman in 1942.[2] He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Auckland University College in 1947 and a Master of Science from 1951 from Victoria University College,[3] and obtained a PhD in physics from the University of Leeds.[2] In 1967, he was appointed director of the Physics and Engineering Laboratory (PEL), and then ten years later, was promoted to assistant director-general of the DSIR.[2]

Probine joined the State Services Commission in 1979,[4] and was appointed chair of that body in 1981.[2] During his tenure, the Official Information Act 1982 was passed and the Equal Employment Opportunities Unit (EEOU) was established.[2] The EEOU was charged with promoting and monitoring access to employment opportunities in the New Zealand public service for ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled.[2]

## Honours and awards[edit]

In 1964, Probine was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.[5] In the 1986 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath, in recognition of his service as chairman of the State Services Commission.[6]

## Death[edit]

Probine died in Auckland on 17 April 2010.[2] His wife, Marjorie, died in 2023.[7]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Births". New Zealand Herald. 3 May 1924. p. 1. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Former State Services Commission boss dies". Stuff.co.nz. NZPA. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
3. ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: P". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
4. ^ Henderson, Alan (1990). The Quest for Efficiency:The Origins of the State Services Commission. ISBN 0-477-05538-9.
5. ^ "List of all Fellows with surnames P–R". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
6. ^ "No. 50362". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1985. p. 29.
7. ^ "Marjorie Probine obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.

* Notable New Zealanders (1979, Paul Hamblyn, Auckland)

Authority control

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[m.]: married