David Seath

David Coutts Seath (31 March 1914 – 18 October 1997) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

Seath in 1959

Biography
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1954–1957 31st Waitomo National
1957–1960 32nd Waitomo National
1960–1963 33rd Waitomo National
1963–1966 34th Waitomo National
1966–1969 35th Waitomo National
1969–1972 36th Waitomo National

Seath was born in Musselburgh, Scotland. He received his education at Waihi District High School, Waihi School of Mines, and the University of Edinburgh. From 1937, he was a public accountant in Taumarunui. During World War II, he was with the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), and served as Lieutenant Commander with British naval forces.[1]

He was Mayor of Taumarunui from 1953 to 1955.[1] He was elected in the Waitomo electorate in the 1954 election, following the retirement of National Party colleague Walter Broadfoot.[2] In 1960 Seath was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Finance, and held that position from 12 December 1960 to 24 January 1962.[3]

In 1963 Seath was appointed as Minister of Internal Affairs, and held the position from 20 December 1963 to 9 February 1972, when the Marshall Ministry replaced the second Holyoake Ministry.[4][5] He was described as a nervous man easily frightened by Holyoake.[6]

He was a Member of the Executive Council (initially as an Undersecretary) from 24 January 1962 to 9 February 1972.[5] In 1972 Seath was granted the right to retain the title of Honourable for life.[7]

He retired at the 1972 election,[8] and died in Taumarunui in October 1997.

Notes
  1. Gustafson 1986, p. 341.
  2. Wilson 1985, pp. 185, 233.
  3. "Appointment of Parliamentary Under-Secretaries" (12 December 1960) 82 The New Zealand Gazette 1943
  4. "Ministers Appointed" (20 December 1963) 82 The New Zealand Gazette 2077
  5. Wilson 1985, p. 90.
  6. Bassett 1997, p. 184.
  7. "Retention of the title 'Honourable'" (15 May 1972) 42 The New Zealand Gazette 1061
  8. Wilson 1985, p. 233.

References
  • Gustafson, Barry (1986). The First 50 Years : A History of the New Zealand National Party. Auckland: Reed Methuen. ISBN 0-474-00177-6.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
  • Bassett, Michael (1997). The Mother of All Departments:The history of the Department of Internal Affairs. Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-175-1.
  • Who’s Who in New Zealand (1968, 9th edition)


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