The death at 88 years of British New Zealand Business Association patron George Gair brings to a very definable end a political era.

NAPIER, HAWKES BAY, NEW ZEALAND, August 24, 2015 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Written by Peter Isaac who looks back on George Gair's political career . . . The death at 88 years of British New Zealand Business Association patron George Gair brings to a very definable end a political era.

In successive National governments he served as Minister of Health and Minister of Social Welfare. He also served as Minister of Housing, Minister of Energy, Minister of Transport, and Minister of Railways.

His long tenure in Parliament was characterised by his adherence to a liberal-conservative line and one which sought to eschew the politics of personality. He was emphatic that the issues facing the country should take precedence over the inevitable and distracting hurly-burly of party politics and personalities.

He saw too the divisive nature of Parliament's periodic focus on moral issues which he similarly saw as dangerous distractions from the crucial issues of the day which then as now tended to be of an economic nature.

He served a term as New Zealand's High Commissioner in London and the always-suave yet sincere face he presented to officials in London did much to enhance the trading relationship with the EU bloc as a whole.

George Frederick Gair was born in Dunedin. He subsequently attended university at Wellington and Auckland. It was now that he embarked upon a career as a journalist, followed by a tour in the then quite new vocation of public relations.

Much impressed by the National Party's Keith Holyoake, it was now that he set his sights on entering Parliament, briefly serving on Holyoake's staff.

He entered Parliament in his own right in 1966 representing the North Shore an electorate which in one capacity or other he was to serve diligently for the rest of his life. He became deputy leader of the National Party under Jim Bolger.

Following his retirement from politics he was elected mayor of North Shore.

He became patron of the British New Zealand Business Association following his role as High Commissioner in London 1991-1994.

It was an office he took on with his customary blend of energy, dilgence, and enthusiasm, making a point of attending the association's major meetings and events, volunteering as required his finely-honed and well-seasoned opinions and judgement on the issues of the day.

He retained a youthful vigour and curiosity until the end of his days.

Max Farndale
Manufacturers Success Connection
64 6 870 4506
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