Obituary Sir Donald McKay

Press, 5 April 1988, Page 55

Obituary Sir Donald McKay

Sir Donald McKay;, a former | National Minister of Health, has died in Northland. He was 79. I u u The descendant of Scottish settlers who landed near tiie Waipu River, Sir Donald; who was born-in November, 1908, was educated at Whangarei High School land Auckland University] An accomplished sportsman, he played for Northland at cricket I; and rugby, i > Elected as member of Parliament for the] old seat of Marsden in 1954, Sir Donald left his Waipu dairy Ifarm for a backbench ; place in the Government of Sir Sidney Holland; •i' in 1962 he was tnade

Minister of Health, Social Security and Child Welfare, holding the posts until his retirement in 1972; After leaving the House, he returned to Waipu and in 1974 resumed public life as chairman of Northland Harbour Board. He took on the job after the board had been rocked by scandal over financial dealings. He served a term as chairman of the board and in 1977 was appointed chairman of the Ports Authority, an official body with the job of overseeing harbours administration. The McKay involvement with the Northland Board has continued with Sir Donald’s son,

McKay, | as the present chairman. In a tribute to Sir Donald, the former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, described him as the “blest" Minister of Health and Social Welfare” dpring his time I in the House. The two men were together n Parliament for 12 years. Sir Robert said the public migljt not have appreciated the work of Sir Donald, which he recalled as low <ey and effective. Sir Donald had been a fine Mi lister, and did his job • without attracting great publicity, Sir Robert said. Sir Donald is survived by his wife, a daughter and tw6 sons.