Don McKinnon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Don McKinnon
ONZ GCVO
|
|
|---|---|
McKinnon in 2012
|
|
| 4th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations | |
| In office 1 April 2000 – 31 March 2008 |
|
| Head | Elizabeth II |
| Chair | Thabo Mbeki (South Africa) John Howard (Australia) Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) Lawrence Gonzi (Malta) Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) |
| Preceded by | Emeka Anyaoku |
| Succeeded by | Kamalesh Sharma |
| 12th Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand | |
| In office 2 November 1990 – 16 December 1996 |
|
| Prime Minister | Jim Bolger |
| Preceded by | Helen Clark |
| Succeeded by | Winston Peters |
| 24th Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 2 November 1990 – 5 December 1999 |
|
| Prime Minister | Jim Bolger Jenny Shipley |
| Preceded by | Mike Moore |
| Succeeded by | Phil Goff |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Albany Rodney (1984–1987) |
|
| In office 25 November 1978 – 12 October 1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Murray McCully |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for National party list |
|
| In office 12 October 1996 – 6 March 2000 |
|
| Succeeded by | Arthur Anae |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Donald Charles McKinnon
27 February 1939 London, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
| Spouse |
Clare de Lore
(m. 1995) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Walter McKinnon (father) Ian McKinnon (brother) John McKinnon (brother) Malcolm McKinnon (brother) |
Sir Donald Charles McKinnon, born on February 27, 1939, is a well-known politician from New Zealand. He held important roles like the 12th Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for New Zealand. He also served as the fourth Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2000 to 2008.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Don McKinnon was born in Blackheath, London, in the United Kingdom. His father, Major-General Walter McKinnon, was a high-ranking military officer in New Zealand. He was also the head of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. Don has several brothers who also became successful in different fields. His brothers include John, a diplomat, Malcolm, an editor, and Ian, a school headmaster and former Deputy Mayor of Wellington.
Don went to school at Khandallah School and Nelson College in New Zealand. He also studied in the United States, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. After high school, he spent time in the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming. He later studied at Lincoln Agricultural College in New Zealand. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a farm manager and a real estate agent. He also helped people in prisons as a rehabilitation tutor.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Don McKinnon first tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for the National Party in 1969 and 1972. He was not successful in those elections. However, in the 1978 election, he won the new seat of Albany. This was a big step in his political career.
In 1980, Don became a junior Whip for the government. A whip helps make sure that members of their political party vote in a certain way. Two years later, he became the senior Whip. When the National Party lost the 1984 election, Don remained the senior Whip for his party while they were in Opposition. In 1987, he became the Deputy Leader of the National Party. He also took on important roles as the Shadow Minister of Defence and Shadow Minister of Health.
Serving as a Cabinet Minister
When the National Party won the 1990 election, Don McKinnon became the Deputy Prime Minister. This is a very important role, second only to the Prime Minister. He also became the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.
During his time as Foreign Affairs Minister, New Zealand was elected to the UN Security Council. He also worked to increase New Zealand's involvement with the Commonwealth of Nations. He played a key role in trying to bring peace to Bougainville, an island in the Pacific. His efforts in these peace talks were widely recognized.
In 1996, the National Party needed the support of the New Zealand First party to form a government. As part of their agreement, the leader of New Zealand First, Winston Peters, became the Deputy Prime Minister. Don McKinnon continued to serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also took on the role of Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control. After the agreement with New Zealand First ended, Don did not return to the Deputy Prime Minister role. He retired from Parliament in 2000.
Leading the Commonwealth
Don McKinnon was very involved with the Commonwealth of Nations during his time as New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister. In 1999, he was chosen to be the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. This meant he would lead this important group of countries.
As Secretary-General, he dealt with big challenges. These included issues in Zimbabwe and an attempted coup in Fiji. He strongly believed in supporting "good governance," which means countries should be run fairly and openly.
In 2003, some reports suggested that Zimbabwe was trying to remove him from his position. This was likely because of his strong views on democracy in Zimbabwe. However, Don McKinnon was re-elected as Secretary-General in a vote of 40 to 11.
In 2007, he tried to help resolve a disagreement between Fiji and the governments of Australia and New Zealand. He also spoke about land ownership in Zimbabwe, saying that it was not fair for a small number of white farmers to control most of the fertile land.
In 2008, Don McKinnon received the Order of New Zealand, which is the highest civilian honor in New Zealand. In 2009, he was also appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order for his work with the Commonwealth. He is also a vice-president of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
Legacy and Later Work
A road in his former electorate of Albany, New Zealand, is named Don McKinnon Drive in his honor.
In April 2013, Don McKinnon wrote a book about his experiences as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. The book is called In The Ring.
Today, Don McKinnon is the chairman of the Global Panel Foundation Australasia. This organization works in areas around the world that are facing crises.
Personal Life
Don McKinnon is married to Clare de Lore, who used to be a journalist. They have a son together. Don also has four other children from a previous marriage.
