Sir Keith (Jacka) Holyoake - Early life, Early political career, Premierships, Governor-General

New Zealand statesman and prime minister (1957, 1960–72), born near Pahiatua, New Zealand. He joined the Reform Party (later the New Zealand National Party), and served in the House of Representatives (1932–8). Re-elected in 1943, he became deputy leader of the National Party in 1946, and deputy prime minister in 1949. He was president of the UN Food and Agriculture Conference (1957). On the retirement of Sir Sydney Holland (1957) he became Party leader and prime minister on two occasions. He later served as Governor-General of New Zealand (1977–80), the first politician to hold the post. He was knighted in 1970.

Sir Keith Holyoake

26th Prime Minister of New Zealand
In office 20 September 1957 – 12 December 1957 12 December 1960 – 7 February 1972
Preceded by	Sidney Holland (1957) Walter Nash (1960)
Succeeded by	Walter Nash (1957) Jack Marshall (1972)
13th Governor-General of New Zealand
In office 26 October 1977 – 25 October 1980
Preceded by	Denis Blundell
Succeeded by	David Beattie
Born	11 February 1904 Pahiatua, New Zealand
Died	8 December 1983 Wellington, New Zealand
Constituency	Motueka, Pahiatua
Political party	Reform, National
Spouse	Dame Norma Janet Ingram (DCMG,QSO), married 1934, five children
Religion	Presbyterian

Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO (11 February 1904 - 8 December 1983) was a New Zealand politician.

Early life

Holyoake was born a short distance from Pahiatua, a town in New Zealand's Wairarapa region.

Early political career

The Reform Party, which had strong rural support, selected Holyoake as its candidate for the Motueka seat in the 1931 election. After National won the 1949 election, new Prime Minister Sidney Holland appointed Holyoake as Minister of Agriculture.

Premierships

Holyoake became Prime Minister a short time before the 1957 election, Sidney Holland having retired due to ill-health.

Holyoake was the third longest-serving New Zealand Prime Minister (just under 12 years), surpassed by Richard Seddon's 13 years and William Massey's close to 13 years.

Governor-General

In 1977, Holyoake was unexpectedly and controversially appointed Governor-General on the advice of the then Prime Minister Robert Muldoon.

Preceded by: Sir Denis Blundell

Governor-General of New Zealand 1977–1980

Succeeded by: Sir David Beattie