Mr Luke Hazlett

Press, 8 September 1987, Page 34

Mr Luke Hazlett

PA Invercargill A former New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Luke Hazlett, has died in Invercargill after a long illness. He was 78. Mr Hazlett was born into one of Southland’s most famous families. He was a son of William T. Hazlett, of Burwood station, and his grandfather was James Hazlett, who formed the firm of McKerras and Hazlett which had its headquarters in Dunedin. Mr Luke Hazlett was educated at Waihopai School and Waitaki Boys’ High School. After working on the family property at Burwood he soon fell under the spell of the theatre, joining Allan Wilkie’s Shakespearian Company in Australia for a year. He returned to Burwood in 1934 and took over a property at Oretl which he called Gretna Green,

just before his marriage to Miss Anita Tapley in January, 1935. He served in Italy during World War II with the 20th Armoured Regiment, finishing up in Trieste. For seven years he was the Otago-Southland division president of the National Party and served on the New Zealand executive.

In 1964, Mr Hazlett was appointed High Commissioner in Canberra where he served until 1970. When he first went to Canberra, he told the Australian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, “I am not a diplomat. I am as green as grass and have just come off the turnips.”

When he left, Sir Robert told him he should write a book with the title, “Green as Grass.” Mr Hazlett was a popular personality in Canberra both with Australian politicians and the news media, which came out

with editorials headed “Goodbye Luke” when he left. He served on the New Zealand Nature Conservation Council and the New Zealand Motor Spirits Licensing Authority. In recognition of his services to New Zealand at diplomatic and national body levels he was awarded the C.B.E. in 1979. A one-time master and life member of the Birchwood Hunt, Mr Hazlett shared his father’s love of horses with his brothers and owned a number of horses. He was also a life member of the Southland Racing Club and the Royal Agricultural Society. His son, Jack Hazlett, was an All Black in the mid-19605, as was his brother, Bill Hazlett, in the 19205. Mr Hazlett is survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.