Dean Eyre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Dean Eyre
9th New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada
In office 7 December 1976 – 15 January 1980
Appointed by	Robert Muldoon
Preceded by	Jack Shepherd
Succeeded by	Ed Latter
In office 30 August 1968 – 7 November 1973
Appointed by	Keith Holyoake
Preceded by	Sir Leon Götz
Succeeded by	Jack Shepherd
21st Minister of Defence
In office 12 December 1960 – 12 December 1966
Prime Minister	Keith Holyoake
Preceded by	Phil Connolly
Succeeded by	David Thomson
In office 26 September 1957 – 12 December 1957
Prime Minister	Keith Holyoake
Preceded by	Tom Macdonald
Succeeded by	Phil Connolly
5th Minister of Housing
In office 13 February 1957 – 26 September 1957
Prime Minister	Sidney Holland Keith Holyoake
Preceded by	Bill Sullivan
Succeeded by	John Rae
6th Minister for Social Security
In office 23 March 1956 – 13 February 1957
Prime Minister	Sidney Holland
Preceded by	Eric Halstead
Succeeded by	Geoff Gerard
19th Minister of Industries and Commerce
In office 26 November 1954 – 23 March 1956
Prime Minister	Sidney Holland
Preceded by	Jack Watts
Succeeded by	Eric Halstead
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for North Shore
In office 30 November 1949 – 26 November 1966
Preceded by	Martyn Finlay
Succeeded by	George Gair
Personal details
Born	(1914-05-08)8 May 1914 Westport, New Zealand
Died	19 May 2007(2007-05-19) (aged 93) Ottawa, Canada
Political party	National
Other political affiliations	Reform
Spouse	Patricia Arnoldson
Children	3
Alma mater	University of Auckland
Occupation	Company manager

Dean Jack Eyre (born May 8, 1914, died May 19, 2007) was an important New Zealand politician. He was a member of the National Party. He served in many government roles, including being a minister and a diplomat.

About Dean Eyre

Early Life and Business

Dean Eyre was born in Westport in 1914. His father worked for the Customs Department, so his family moved often. They lived in places like New Plymouth, Takapuna, and Ngāruawāhia. Dean went to Hamilton Boys' High School. He became interested in politics early on, joining the junior league of the Reform Party around 1933.

When he was 18, Dean moved to Auckland to study law at Auckland University College. After two years, he ran out of money and had to stop his studies. He then became a salesperson for a car parts company. In 1936, he started his own business called Airco (NZ) Ltd. This company imported washing machines, fridges, and other appliances from America. They put these items together in a small factory in Auckland.

In 1937, Dean married Patricia Arnoldson. They had two sons and one daughter. In 1938, he had to pause his business because the government limited imports from the United States.

In 1939, Dean and his family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, to work for his American suppliers. They were living there when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Soon after, Dean and his family were moved to San Francisco. He then joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and served on ships in England and the Atlantic from 1941 to 1945. He also served in the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

After the war, he and his family returned to New Zealand in 1946. He restarted his Airco company, which later became the first New Zealand company to assemble Vespa scooters.

Dean Eyre's Time in Politics

Before leaving New Zealand for the war, Dean Eyre had joined the National Party. In 1949, he was chosen to run for the North Shore seat in Parliament. This seat was held by the Labour Party. To everyone's surprise, he won the election. He represented North Shore from 1949 until 1966, when he retired from Parliament.

Dean Eyre became a government minister. He first served under Prime Minister Sidney Holland. From 1954 to 1956, he was the Minister of Industries and Commerce and Minister of Customs. In 1956, he was given new roles as Minister for Social Security and Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. He also became Minister of Housing and Minister of Police from 1956 to 1957.

When Keith Holyoake became Prime Minister in 1957, Dean Eyre continued as Minister of Housing. He also became Minister of Defence. From 1957 to 1960, when the National Party was not in power, he was a key opposition spokesperson for Defence and Housing.

Dean Eyre (front right) in 1963

When Keith Holyoake's government returned to power in 1960, Dean Eyre again became Minister of Defence (1960–1966) and Minister of Housing (1960–1963). He also served as Minister of Tourism from 1963 to 1966. During this time, New Zealand decided to join the Vietnam War.

In 1966, a newspaper reported that Dean Eyre had said he would drop "a basin full of bombs" to end the war. He said his words were taken out of context. He successfully sued the newspaper for reporting this.

After leaving Parliament, Dean Eyre became the High Commissioner (a top diplomat) for New Zealand in Canada. He served two terms: from 1968 to 1973, and again from 1976 to 1980. After his second term, he and his wife decided to stay in Canada. Their sons and their families lived there, and it was closer to the United Kingdom, where their daughter lived.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Dean Eyre was often mentioned in the news because of a travel perk for former politicians. This perk allowed retired Members of Parliament to travel at a reduced cost. Dean Eyre had retired in Canada, but he still used this perk to visit his daughter in the United Kingdom. This caused some debate in New Zealand.

In 1995, a newspaper wrongly reported that he had died. In 1998, the travel perk for former MPs was finally ended.

Dean Eyre suffered a stroke in 2003, which affected his health. He passed away in Ottawa, Canada, on May 19, 2007. His wife, Patricia, had died the year before. They were survived by their two sons and one daughter.

Awards and Recognition

Dean Eyre received several awards for his service:

• In 1953, he was given the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
• In 1977, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
• He was also awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.