Allan Highet
Encyclopedia
David Allan Highet QSO
(27 May 1913 – 28 April 1992) was a New Zealand
politician. He was an MP from 1966 to 1984, representing the National Party
for Remuera
, holding the then largest majorities in the House.
, the second son of David and Elsie Highet. He attended Otago Boys' High School
. Highet's older brother, William Bremner Highet, was an Otago University scholar and professor of neurosurgery, who died on the SS Ceramic
in 1942. Highet's uncle was Harry Highet
, the civil engineer who designed the P-class yacht
.
Highet attended the University of Otago
. He obtained a BCom
from the University of Otago.
Highet attempted to enlist in the New Zealand army during World War II
, but was declined due to having suffered from tuberculosis in the 1930s. Highet served in the Home Guard, reaching the rank of Captain.
Highet practised as an accountant and businessman, and was active in the establishment of the Wellington division of the National Party.
In the 1950s, Highet was a Wellington City Councillor. In 1954, Highet won the National nomination for the Wellington Central
seat. Highet's opponent, Labour candidate Frank Kitts
, went on to win the seat, and later became the longest-serving Mayor of Wellington
.
Highet moved to Auckland in the 1950s, becoming the senior partner in Highet and Toomey, an Auckland accounting firm.
Highet was first married to Patricia Hoyles, and they had a daughter and a son.
Highet later married to prominent New Zealand artist and television personality Shona McFarlane
.
as MP for the Auckland electorate of Remuera
, succeeding retiring speaker Ronald Algie
. He defeated future colleague George Gair
for the nomination as National's candidate for the seat.
Highet was appointed to the Cabinet by Prime Minister John Marshall
in 1971, becoming Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister of Local Government and associate Minister for Health and Social Welfare.
The National Party lost the 1972 elections
, and Highet was in opposition until 1975. When Robert Muldoon
contested the leadership of the National Party in 1974, Highet was one of two National MPs to support Marshall.
, Highet was appointed to Cabinet
again, becoming Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Local Government, New Zealand's first Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Sport.
Highet was particularly well regarded for his interest in the arts and sport, having been an opera singer and representative sportsman in his youth. Highet founded the National Youth Orchestra, and was a founding Director of the International Festival of the Arts. During his time as Minister for the Arts, Highet founded the New Zealand Film Commission
, the Hillary Commission, and was actively involved in the organisation of the Historic Places Trust
, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
, the Royal New Zealand Ballet
, and the Arts Council.
. While Prime Minister Muldoon announced that the New Zealand Government would not intervene to stop the tour going ahead, Highet made public statements indicating that he could use his authority as Internal Affairs Minister, responsible for lotteries funding, to withdraw financial contributions to the New Zealand Rugby Union if the Tour proceeded.
, changing the name of New Zealand's national day back to Waitangi Day
.
In 1977, following a petition to the House, Highet introduced God Defend New Zealand
, as New Zealand's official national anthem alongside God Save the Queen
.
As Minister of Internal Affairs, Highet oversaw the passage of the Citizenship Act 1977, establishing a New Zealand Citizenship as a separate citizenship, and making British citizens legal aliens for the first time. In November 1979 Highet suggested that the design of the Flag of New Zealand
should be changed, and sought an artist to design a new flag with a silver fern on the fly. The proposal attracted little support however.
" in a speech to a National Party Conference, as a description of the Government's then-ambitious major projects in the Energy sector. Highet, as Minister of Racing, named the policy after Melbourne Cup-winning racehorse Think Big
.
Highet was considered to be a social liberal, and was among a handful of economically liberal members of Muldoon's cabinet.
, at the age of 71. National Party member Doug Graham
, who had unsuccessfully challenged Highet for the National Party nomination in 1981, won the selection, and succeeded Highet that year.
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
(27 May 1913 – 28 April 1992) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician. He was an MP from 1966 to 1984, representing the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
for Remuera
Remuera (New Zealand electorate)
Remuera is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, in the city of Auckland.-Population Centres:The electorate is urban, and comprises a number of Auckland suburbs. The area is high-income, and has been represented by a succession of National MPs....
, holding the then largest majorities in the House.
Early life and family
Highet was born in DunedinDunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, the second son of David and Elsie Highet. He attended Otago Boys' High School
Otago Boys' High School
Otago Boys' High School is one of New Zealand's oldest boys' secondary schools, located in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. It was founded on 3 August 1863 and moved to its present site in 1885. The main building was designed by Robert Lawson and is regarded as one of the finest Gothic revival...
. Highet's older brother, William Bremner Highet, was an Otago University scholar and professor of neurosurgery, who died on the SS Ceramic
SS Ceramic (1913)
SS Ceramic was an 18,400-ton ocean liner of the White Star Line launched in 1913, and later sold to the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. In 1942 sunk the Ceramic, leaving only one survivor from the 656 on board....
in 1942. Highet's uncle was Harry Highet
Harry Highet
Henry Ashton Highet, commonly known as Harry Highet, was a New Zealand civil engineer famous for his 'P-class' yacht design. This class is famous for being the sailing trainer vessel for many new entrants into the sport, and virtually every famous New Zealand yachtsman, including Sir Peter Blake...
, the civil engineer who designed the P-class yacht
P-class yacht
The P-Class is a type of small single sail dinghy, popular as a training boat for young people in New Zealand. This class is famous for being the sailing trainer vessel for many new entrants into the sport, and virtually every famous New Zealand yachtsman, including Sir Peter Blake and Russell...
.
Highet attended the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
. He obtained a BCom
Bachelor of Commerce
A Bachelor of Commerce is an undergraduate degree in commerce and related subjects. The degree is also known as the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, or BCA...
from the University of Otago.
Highet attempted to enlist in the New Zealand army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but was declined due to having suffered from tuberculosis in the 1930s. Highet served in the Home Guard, reaching the rank of Captain.
Highet practised as an accountant and businessman, and was active in the establishment of the Wellington division of the National Party.
In the 1950s, Highet was a Wellington City Councillor. In 1954, Highet won the National nomination for the Wellington Central
Wellington Central
rightWellington Central is a suburb of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, consisting of the flat, mostly reclaimed land, west of Lambton Harbour and the part of The Terrace immediately above it. It is bounded on the north by the suburb Pipitea and extends as far south as Civic Square...
seat. Highet's opponent, Labour candidate Frank Kitts
Frank Kitts
Sir Francis "Frank" Joseph Kitts 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 by the National candidate Dan Riddiford.Kitts was on the...
, went on to win the seat, and later became the longest-serving Mayor of Wellington
Mayor of Wellington
The Mayor of Wellington is the head of the municipal government of Wellington, New Zealand, and presides over the Wellington City Council. The Mayor of Wellington administers only Wellington City itself — other municipalities in adjacent areas of the Wellington Region such as Lower Hutt, Upper...
.
Highet moved to Auckland in the 1950s, becoming the senior partner in Highet and Toomey, an Auckland accounting firm.
Highet was first married to Patricia Hoyles, and they had a daughter and a son.
Highet later married to prominent New Zealand artist and television personality Shona McFarlane
Shona McFarlane
Shona Graham McFarlane CBE was a New Zealand artist, journalist and broadcaster.McFarlane was born in Gore and educated at Otago Girls' High School, and studied teaching at Dunedin Teachers' College...
.
Member of Parliament
Highet was elected to Parliament in the 1966 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1966
The 1966 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 35th term. It saw the governing National Party win a third consecutive term in office...
as MP for the Auckland electorate of Remuera
Remuera (New Zealand electorate)
Remuera is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, in the city of Auckland.-Population Centres:The electorate is urban, and comprises a number of Auckland suburbs. The area is high-income, and has been represented by a succession of National MPs....
, succeeding retiring speaker Ronald Algie
Ronald Algie
Sir Ronald Macmillan Algie was a New Zealand politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for six years in the 1960s. He described himself as "a Tory in the old tradition".-Early life:...
. He defeated future colleague George Gair
George Gair
George Frederick Gair, CMG, QSO is a former New Zealand politician. He was once deputy leader of the National Party in the Parliament of New Zealand, and was considered by many to be a possible contender for the leadership itself...
for the nomination as National's candidate for the seat.
Highet was appointed to the Cabinet by Prime Minister John Marshall
John Marshall
John Marshall was the Chief Justice of the United States whose court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and executive branches...
in 1971, becoming Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister of Local Government and associate Minister for Health and Social Welfare.
The National Party lost the 1972 elections
New Zealand general election, 1972
The New Zealand general election of 1972 was held to elect MPs to the 37th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Labour Party, led by Norman Kirk, defeated the governing National Party.-Background:...
, and Highet was in opposition until 1975. When Robert Muldoon
Robert Muldoon
Sir Robert David "Rob" Muldoon, GCMG, CH served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984, as leader of the governing National Party. Muldoon had been a prominent member of the National party and MP for the Tamaki electorate for some years prior to becoming leader of the party...
contested the leadership of the National Party in 1974, Highet was one of two National MPs to support Marshall.
Cabinet Minister
With the National Party winning the 1975 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1975
The 1975 New Zealand general election was held to elect MPs to the 38th session of the New Zealand Parliament. It was the first election in New Zealand where 18-20 year olds and all permanent residents of New Zealand were eligible to vote, although only citizens were able to be...
, Highet was appointed to Cabinet
New Zealand Cabinet
The Cabinet of New Zealand functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the New Zealand government system...
again, becoming Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Local Government, New Zealand's first Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Sport.
Highet was particularly well regarded for his interest in the arts and sport, having been an opera singer and representative sportsman in his youth. Highet founded the National Youth Orchestra, and was a founding Director of the International Festival of the Arts. During his time as Minister for the Arts, Highet founded the New Zealand Film Commission
New Zealand Film Commission
The New Zealand Film Commission is a New Zealand government agency formed to assist with creating and promoting New Zealand films...
, the Hillary Commission, and was actively involved in the organisation of the Historic Places Trust
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is the national orchestra of New Zealand. It is a crown entity owned by the Government of New Zealand, with 90 full-time players....
, the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Royal New Zealand Ballet
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is based in Wellington, New Zealand.The Royal New Zealand Ballet is a company of 32 dynamic dancers, performing an eclectic repertoire of outstanding dance, for national and international audiences, whilst continuing to build a style that is ultimately unique to the...
, and the Arts Council.
1981 Springbok Tour
Highet was Minister for Sport during the 1981 Springbok Tour1981 Springbok Tour
The 1981 South African rugby union tour of New Zealand was a controversial tour of New Zealand by the South Africa national rugby union team, known as "the Springboks"...
. While Prime Minister Muldoon announced that the New Zealand Government would not intervene to stop the tour going ahead, Highet made public statements indicating that he could use his authority as Internal Affairs Minister, responsible for lotteries funding, to withdraw financial contributions to the New Zealand Rugby Union if the Tour proceeded.
Legislation
In 1976, Highet introduced the Waitangi Day ActWaitangi Day Act
There have been two Waitangi Day Acts passed by the New Zealand Parliament: the Waitangi Day Act 1960 and the Waitangi Day Act 1976. Neither made the sixth of February a public holiday; this was done by the New Zealand Day Act 1973. The first Waitangi Day Act was a token gesture towards...
, changing the name of New Zealand's national day back to Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day
Waitangi Day commemorates a significant day in the history of New Zealand. It is a public holiday held each year on 6 February to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, on that date in 1840.-History:...
.
In 1977, following a petition to the House, Highet introduced God Defend New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand
"God Defend New Zealand" is one of two national anthems of New Zealand, the other being "God Save the Queen". Legally they have equal status, but "God Defend New Zealand" is more commonly used, and is popularly referred to as "the national anthem"...
, as New Zealand's official national anthem alongside God Save the Queen
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
.
As Minister of Internal Affairs, Highet oversaw the passage of the Citizenship Act 1977, establishing a New Zealand Citizenship as a separate citizenship, and making British citizens legal aliens for the first time. In November 1979 Highet suggested that the design of the Flag of New Zealand
Flag of New Zealand
The flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. The stars represent the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross....
should be changed, and sought an artist to design a new flag with a silver fern on the fly. The proposal attracted little support however.
Think Big
In 1977, Highet introduced the expression "Think BigThink Big
The New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon and his New Zealand National Party government in the early 1980s sponsored Think Big as an interventionist state economic strategy. The Think Big schemes saw the government borrow heavily overseas, running up a large external deficit, and using the...
" in a speech to a National Party Conference, as a description of the Government's then-ambitious major projects in the Energy sector. Highet, as Minister of Racing, named the policy after Melbourne Cup-winning racehorse Think Big
Think Big (horse)
Think Big was a Thoroughbred racehorse who raced in Australia, winning the Melbourne Cup in both 1974 and 1975. Bred by the estate of the late L. A...
.
Highet was considered to be a social liberal, and was among a handful of economically liberal members of Muldoon's cabinet.
Retirement
Highet suffered grave illness in early 1984, one of the reasons Muldoon called a snap election. Highet retired from politics at the 1984 electionsNew Zealand general election, 1984
The 1984 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 41st New Zealand Parliament. It marked the beginning of the Fourth Labour Government, with David Lange's Labour Party defeating long-serving Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of the National Party. It was also the...
, at the age of 71. National Party member Doug Graham
Doug Graham
Sir Douglas Arthur Montrose "Doug" Graham KNZM is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1999, representing the National Party.-Early life:...
, who had unsuccessfully challenged Highet for the National Party nomination in 1981, won the selection, and succeeded Highet that year.