Don McKinnon

Donald Charles McKinnon, ONZ, GCVO, PC ( born February 27, 1939 in London ) is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand. He was, until April 1, 2008 Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Life

McKinnon's father was Major General Walter S. McKinnon, Chief of General Staff in New Zealand. He studied at Nelson College in Nelson / New Zealand and then at Lincoln Agricultural College Lincoln University in New Zealand. After graduation, he headed a farm and later became a management consultant for farms. In 1974, he worked as a real estate agent. In his spare time, he worked as a tutor for the rehabilitation of prisoners.

Political career

During the elections in 1969 and 1972, McKinnon could not achieve any success. It was only after the election of 1978, he received a seat for Albany.

In 1980 McKinnon junior Whip, two years later, senior Whip.

After the elections of 1990 McKinnon Deputy Prime Minister ( Deputy Prime Minister ), both foreign and trade ministers (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Minister for Affairs of the Pacific Islands (Minister of Iceland Pacific Affairs ) of New Zealand. Phil Goff became his successor.

Through his work as Foreign Minister of New Zealand McKinnon was heavily involved in the Commonwealth. During the conference, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban in November 1999, he won against the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and was elected General Secretary. He thus broke the Nigerians Emeka Anyaoku from this office.

Others

McKinnon is also a board member of the Global Panel Foundation and president of Global Panel Australasia.