Allan Highet
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Allan Highet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Remuera | |
| In office 26 November 1966 – 14 July 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Ronald Algie |
| Succeeded by | Douglas Graham |
| 19th Minister of Internal Affairs | |
| In office 12 December 1975 – 26 July 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Muldoon |
| Preceded by | Henry May |
| Succeeded by | Peter Tapsell |
| In office 9 February 1972 – 8 December 1972 | |
| Prime Minister | Jack Marshall |
| Preceded by | David Seath |
| Succeeded by | Henry May |
| 1st Minister of Local Government | |
| In office 12 December 1975 – 26 July 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Muldoon |
| Preceded by | Henry May |
| Succeeded by | Michael Bassett |
| In office 9 February 1972 – 8 December 1972 | |
| Prime Minister | Jack Marshall |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Henry May |
| 6th Minister of Civil Defence | |
| In office 12 December 1975 – 26 July 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Muldoon |
| Preceded by | Henry May |
| Succeeded by | Peter Tapsell |
| In office 9 February 1972 – 8 December 1972 | |
| Prime Minister | Jack Marshall |
| Preceded by | David Seath |
| Succeeded by | Tom McGuigan |
| 2nd Minister for Sport and Recreation | |
| In office 12 December 1975 – 26 July 1984 | |
| Prime Minister | Robert Muldoon |
| Preceded by | Joe Walding |
| Succeeded by | Mike Moore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Allan Highet 27 May 1913 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 28 April 1992 (aged 78) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Party | National |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Hoyles Shona McFarlane |
| Children | One daughter |
| Relatives | Harry Highet (uncle) |
| Occupation | Accountant |
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.
Highet was born in Dunedin, 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 when the Ceramic was sunk in 1942. Highet's uncle was Harry Highet, the civil engineer who designed the P-class sailing dinghy.
Highet attended the University of Otago, from where he graduated with a BCom.
Highet tried to enlist in the New Zealand Army in World War II, but was declined due to having suffered from tuberculosis in the 1930s. He 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 1953, Highet was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.[1]
In the 1950s, Highet was a Wellington City Councillor after winning a 1955 by-election.[2] In 1954, Highet won the National nomination for the Wellington Central electorate. 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. In 1960 he became general manager of L. J. Fisher and Co., Ltd and in 1962 he succeeded Hugh Watt to become executive director of the Auckland City Development Association.[3]
Highet was first married to Patricia Hoyles.
In 1976, Highet married prominent New Zealand artist and television personality Shona McFarlane.[4]
Highet fathered one daughter in which they formed a bond later in life and ultimately became a grandfather.