Interview with Sir David and Lady Beattie

Sir David Beattie was born in Sydney, Australia in 1924. Gives details of his family background. Mentions great grandfather Captain Bendall of Oriental Bay. Discusses his Australian background on his father's side. Talks about the life of his mother Una Beattie (nee King) who died in 1997. Mentions separation from her husband, the Depression and World War II. Describes going to Dilworth Boarding School where he was head prefect and mentions being captain of the first eleven and the first fifteen. Describes doing law at Auckland University. Summarises his legal career and progress from the Crown Prosecutor's Office, to being a barrister, Queen's Counsel, Judge of the Supreme Court then of the Court of Appeal. Briefly talks about big trials in which he was involved including that of Dr Sutch, Ananda Marga, Erich Geiringer and the Progressive Youth Movement. Describes being chair of the Royal Commission on Courts before becoming Governor General in 1980.

Lady Norma Beattie was born in Auckland in 1925. Describes how her father was a marine engineer and her brother, Graham McDonald, served on the same ship as Sir David during World War II. Mentions how her grandmother, Sarah Blunden, came to New Zealand at the age of seventeen and married George Blunden who was much older. Describes how her mother was a nurse known as `Mrs Mack' the district nurse. Recalls attending schools in Auckland, becoming a nurse and meeting Sir David. Mentions doing maternity nursing.

Sir David describes having been on an assignment to the Cook Islands to try Premier Sir Albert Henry for corruption when appointed to Government House. Discusses not being appointed Chief Justice. Mentions an interview with Sir Robert Muldoon and comments on their relationship. Gives impressions of Government House and taking over the role of Governor-General from Sir Keith Holyoake. Describes restoration and refurbishiment to the House at their instigation. Describes the political situation of the 1981-1984 government, with a majority of one, and implications for him as Governor-General. Comments on the public exposure of the role. Explains the roles of the official secretary Colonel Jim Brown and the Comptroller Colonel Fred Bath. Talks about his correspondence with the Queen. Mentions the Falklands War, the 1981 Springbok Tour and a Royal Tour shortly after. Discusses the Springbok Tour and its effect on New Zealand. Recalls discussions with Muldoon and comments on his effect on people. Backgrounds the hikoi at the 1984 Waitangi Day celebrations, his decision to meet it and waiting for the hikoi. Mentions Sir James Henare, Sir Hepi te Heu Heu, Ben Couch, Hiwi Tauroa, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Thompson, Eva Rickard, the Harawira family and Tame Iti. Describes having an egg thrown at him and a bomb being thrown over the fence of Government House.

Discusses the change of etiquette as the role of Governor General becomes New Zealand oriented. Talks about Lady Beattie opening up Government House. Mentions the butler and valet, Sir Robert Sisson-Stretch. Describes going to Government House in Auckland two or three months a year. Talks about the 1981 Royal Tour, the visit of Charles and Diana and being guardian to Prince Edward while he was at Wanganui Collegiate. Discusses the wage-price freeze and the 1984 snap election. Gives a background to the election mentioning the anti-nuclear debate, Marilyn Waring and Mike Minogue. Describes the conduct of the election and the Muldoon-Lange debate. Explains the constitutional position of the Governor General. Recalls the gravity of the financial situation. Comments on travelling as the Governor General and meeting people. Mentions his mother Una Beattie lived at Government House until the age of ninety. Briefly talks about the appointment of Sir Paul Reeves as his successor.

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3396.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004977 - OHLC-004979