Keith Holyoake

Who was Keith Holyoake?

Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake KG GCMG CH QSO KStJ was the only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7 February 1972. He was appointed as Governor-General in 1977 and served until 1980.

Holyoake is to date the third longest serving New Zealand Prime Minister, surpassed only by Richard Seddon's 13 years and William Massey's close to 13 years; he was also the first to be born in the 20th century. He was known for his diplomatic style and "plummy" voice. He was also fondly known as Kiwi Keith, a name given to him in childhood to distinguish him from an Australian child with the same name.