Alister McIntosh
Encyclopedia
Sir Alister Donald Miles McIntosh, KCMG (29 November 1906 - 30 November 1978), was a New Zealand diplomat. McIntosh was New Zealand's first secretary of foreign affairs, and is widely considered to be the father of New Zealand's independent foreign policy and architect of the ministry (then department) of Foreign Affairs
in New Zealand.
, and educated at Marlborough College and Victoria University of Wellington
, where he earned an MA in History in 1930. He originally worked in the Department of Labour, before joining the Parliamentary Library. He studied librarianship for several years, writing a report that led to the formation of the National Library. He was actively involved in the Institute of Pacific Relations, and was one of the founders of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. McIntosh worked and was close to such intellectuals as Dr William Sutch, Frank Corner
, and eminent historian J.C. Beaglehole.
, the head of the Prime Minister's department, recruited McIntosh as a research officer, and effectively became Berendsen's deputy. During the war years, McIntosh chaired the economic stabilisation committee, and worked closely with Prime Minister Peter Fraser. In 1943, McIntosh succeeded Berendsen as secretary of the War Cabinet, and head of the newly-established Department of External Affairs, the precursor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
McIntosh took a key role in the establishment of the United Nations
, along with Berendsen, who by that stage was New Zealand's Ambassador to Washington and the United Nations in New York.
McIntosh was nominated to the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1965, but withdrew due to ill-health. He retired as Secretary of Foreign Affairs in 1966 (he was succeeded by George Laking
), but then established New Zealand's posting in Italy, serving as ambassador there until 1970. In retirement, McIntosh served as Chairman of the Historic Places Trust, Chairman of the Alexander Turnbull Library, a trustee of the National Library, and Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission during the transition to colour television.
McIntosh served as the principal foreign policy adviser to Prime Ministers Peter Fraser, Sidney Holland
, Keith Holyoake
, and Walter Nash
.
in 1957, and a KCMG in 1973. He died in 1978.
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the New Zealand Government ministry responsible for promoting New Zealand's interests in trade and international relations....
in New Zealand.
Early life
McIntosh was born in PictonPicton, New Zealand
Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
, and educated at Marlborough College and Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
, where he earned an MA in History in 1930. He originally worked in the Department of Labour, before joining the Parliamentary Library. He studied librarianship for several years, writing a report that led to the formation of the National Library. He was actively involved in the Institute of Pacific Relations, and was one of the founders of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. McIntosh worked and was close to such intellectuals as Dr William Sutch, Frank Corner
Frank Corner
Frank Corner, CMG, FRSA, is a New Zealand diplomat. Corner served as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States, before becoming New Zealand's third Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.-Early life:...
, and eminent historian J.C. Beaglehole.
Public Service career
In 1935, Carl BerendsenCarl Berendsen
Sir Carl August Berendsen KCMG was a New Zealand civil servant and diplomat. He was the creator of the Department of External Affairs, and collaborated with Michael Joseph Savage. He was Secretary for External Affairs 1928-32, Head of the Prime Minister's Department 1932-43, and Secretary of the...
, the head of the Prime Minister's department, recruited McIntosh as a research officer, and effectively became Berendsen's deputy. During the war years, McIntosh chaired the economic stabilisation committee, and worked closely with Prime Minister Peter Fraser. In 1943, McIntosh succeeded Berendsen as secretary of the War Cabinet, and head of the newly-established Department of External Affairs, the precursor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
McIntosh took a key role in the establishment of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, along with Berendsen, who by that stage was New Zealand's Ambassador to Washington and the United Nations in New York.
McIntosh was nominated to the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1965, but withdrew due to ill-health. He retired as Secretary of Foreign Affairs in 1966 (he was succeeded by George Laking
George Laking
Sir George Robert Laking, KCMG, was a New Zealand diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador to the United States, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman.-Early life:...
), but then established New Zealand's posting in Italy, serving as ambassador there until 1970. In retirement, McIntosh served as Chairman of the Historic Places Trust, Chairman of the Alexander Turnbull Library, a trustee of the National Library, and Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission during the transition to colour television.
McIntosh served as the principal foreign policy adviser to Prime Ministers Peter Fraser, Sidney Holland
Sidney Holland
Sir Sidney George Holland, GCMG, CH was the 25th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 13 December 1949 to 20 September 1957.-Early life:...
, Keith Holyoake
Keith Holyoake
Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. 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...
, and Walter Nash
Walter Nash
Sir Walter Nash, GCMG, CH served as the 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand in the Second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960, and was also highly influential in his role as Minister of Finance...
.
Awards
McIntosh was awarded the CMGOrder of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1957, and a KCMG in 1973. He died in 1978.
See also
- Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
- Corner, F.Frank CornerFrank Corner, CMG, FRSA, is a New Zealand diplomat. Corner served as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States, before becoming New Zealand's third Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.-Early life:...
The man who shaped our foreign service: Christchurch Star. 15 Dec. 1978