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David Beattie
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David Beattie
Sir David Stuart Beattie, GCMG, GCVO, QSO, KStJ, QC (29 February 1924 – 4 February 2001) was an Australian-born New Zealand judge who served as the 14th governor-general of New Zealand from 1980 to 1985. During the 1984 constitutional crisis, Beattie was nearly forced to dismiss the sitting prime minister, Robert Muldoon.
Born in Sydney, Australia, on 29 February 1924, Beattie was the son of Una Mary and Joseph Nesbitt Beattie. He was brought up by his mother in Takapuna, New Zealand, and educated at Dilworth School in Auckland.
In 1941, at age 17, Beattie joined the army during the Second World War, and rose to the rank of sergeant before transferring to the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve as a sub-lieutenant. He played rugby union for New Zealand services teams in 1944 and 1945.
In 1950, Beattie married Norma Margaret Sarah Macdonald, and the couple had seven children.
After the war, Beattie studied law at Auckland University College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1949, before setting up in private practice as a barrister and solicitor. He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1964, and served as president of the Auckland District Law Society in 1965. In 1969, Beattie was appointed as a Supreme Court judge (the old name for the High Court, not to be confused with the new final court of appeal, the Supreme Court of New Zealand), serving on the bench until 1980.
Beattie chaired the 1977–78 Royal Commission on the Courts. In 1977, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
On 1 August 1980 Beattie was appointed as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George and was granted the right to retain the title of The Honourable for life. One of the roles of governor-general is to act as the Prior of Order of St John in New Zealand, and Beattie was appointed as a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem just prior to assuming the office of Governor-General of New Zealand. He was appointed as governor-general by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of her New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, his term of office beginning on 6 November 1980 and continuing until 10 November 1985. On leaving office, both Sir David and Lady Beattie were appointed as Companions of the Queen's Service Order: Sir David was recognised for his public services and Lady Beattie for community service. In 1983, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Auckland.
At the height of the Springbok tour of 1981, Beattie met a delegation from Halt All Racist Tours. Beattie promised to discuss their issues with the Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. Beattie was ridiculed by supporters of the tour, and as a result, the prime minister refused to speak to the governor-general about his meeting with HART.
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David Beattie
Sir David Stuart Beattie, GCMG, GCVO, QSO, KStJ, QC (29 February 1924 – 4 February 2001) was an Australian-born New Zealand judge who served as the 14th governor-general of New Zealand from 1980 to 1985. During the 1984 constitutional crisis, Beattie was nearly forced to dismiss the sitting prime minister, Robert Muldoon.
Born in Sydney, Australia, on 29 February 1924, Beattie was the son of Una Mary and Joseph Nesbitt Beattie. He was brought up by his mother in Takapuna, New Zealand, and educated at Dilworth School in Auckland.
In 1941, at age 17, Beattie joined the army during the Second World War, and rose to the rank of sergeant before transferring to the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve as a sub-lieutenant. He played rugby union for New Zealand services teams in 1944 and 1945.
In 1950, Beattie married Norma Margaret Sarah Macdonald, and the couple had seven children.
After the war, Beattie studied law at Auckland University College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1949, before setting up in private practice as a barrister and solicitor. He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1964, and served as president of the Auckland District Law Society in 1965. In 1969, Beattie was appointed as a Supreme Court judge (the old name for the High Court, not to be confused with the new final court of appeal, the Supreme Court of New Zealand), serving on the bench until 1980.
Beattie chaired the 1977–78 Royal Commission on the Courts. In 1977, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.
On 1 August 1980 Beattie was appointed as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George and was granted the right to retain the title of The Honourable for life. One of the roles of governor-general is to act as the Prior of Order of St John in New Zealand, and Beattie was appointed as a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem just prior to assuming the office of Governor-General of New Zealand. He was appointed as governor-general by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of her New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, his term of office beginning on 6 November 1980 and continuing until 10 November 1985. On leaving office, both Sir David and Lady Beattie were appointed as Companions of the Queen's Service Order: Sir David was recognised for his public services and Lady Beattie for community service. In 1983, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Auckland.
At the height of the Springbok tour of 1981, Beattie met a delegation from Halt All Racist Tours. Beattie promised to discuss their issues with the Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. Beattie was ridiculed by supporters of the tour, and as a result, the prime minister refused to speak to the governor-general about his meeting with HART.
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