Holyoake, Sir Keith Jacka [key], 1904–83, New Zealand statesman. A farmer, he was active in agricultural organizations in the 1930s and 40s. He entered Parliament in 1932. A member of the National party, he became deputy leader in 1947. In 1949 he was named deputy prime minister and minister of agriculture in the National party government. He served briefly as prime minister in 1957, when Sidney G. Holland resigned, and was subsequently leader of the Nationalist opposition. When his party won the 1960 elections, he became prime minister, serving until 1972. He resigned the post to deputy prime minister John Marshall in order to revitalize the party for the upcoming elections (which the Nationalists lost). He was minister of state (1975–77) and then became the first politician to be appointed governor-general (1977–80). He was knighted in 1970.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands History: Biographies
