Don McKinnon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable 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 (1939-02-27) 27 February 1939 (age 86) 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 27 February 1939) is a New Zealand politician. He held important roles in New Zealand's government. He was the country's Deputy Prime Minister. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 2000 to 2008, he was the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Early Life and Education

Don McKinnon was born in London, England. His father, Walter McKinnon, was a high-ranking military officer in New Zealand. Don has three brothers: John, Malcolm, and Ian. They are all notable in their own fields. Their family has a long history in New Zealand.

Don went to school in New Zealand and also in Washington, D.C., USA. He studied at Lincoln Agricultural College in New Zealand. After college, he worked as a farm manager. Later, he became a real estate agent. He also helped people in prisons as a tutor.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Don McKinnon first tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1969. He ran for the National Party. He was not successful in 1969 or 1972. But in 1978, he won the new Albany seat.

In 1980, he became a junior Whip for the government. A whip helps make sure party members vote together. Two years later, he became the senior Whip. When the National Party lost the 1984 election, he stayed as senior Whip for the Opposition. In 1987, he became the Deputy Leader of the National Party. He also took on roles as Shadow Minister of Defence and Health.

Cabinet Minister Roles

When the National Party won the 1990 election, Don McKinnon became the Deputy Prime Minister. This is a very important job in the government. He also became the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This role involves dealing with other countries. He was also the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.

During his time as Foreign Affairs Minister, New Zealand was chosen to be on the UN Security Council. He also worked hard to help solve problems in the Commonwealth. He helped try to make peace on Bougainville, an island in the Pacific. His work there was highly praised.

In 1996, the National Party formed a government with another party, New Zealand First. As part of their agreement, the leader of New Zealand First became Deputy Prime Minister. Don McKinnon continued as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also became the Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control. This role focuses on reducing weapons. He left Parliament in 2000.

Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

Don McKinnon was very involved with the Commonwealth while he was New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister. The Commonwealth is a group of countries that used to be part of the British Empire. In 1999, he was elected as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. This means he was the main leader of the Commonwealth's daily work.

As Secretary-General, he dealt with big issues. These included political problems in Zimbabwe and a coup attempt in Fiji. He worked to support "good governance" in member countries. This means encouraging fair and honest government.

In 2003, some countries tried to remove him from his position. But he was re-elected for another term. In 2007, he tried to help solve a disagreement between Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. He also received an honorary degree from Heriot-Watt University in 2005.

In 2008, Don McKinnon received New Zealand's highest civilian honour, the Order of New Zealand. In 2009, he was also made 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 Personal Life

A street in his former electorate, Don McKinnon Drive, is named after him. In 2013, he wrote a book about his time as Secretary-General. It is called In The Ring.

Don McKinnon is currently the chairman of the Global Panel Foundation Australasia. This group works to help in crisis areas around the world.

Don McKinnon is married to Clare de Lore, who used to be a journalist. They have a son together. He also has four other children from a previous marriage.