Background
McKinnon, Donald Charles was born on February 27, 1939 in London.
New Zealand government official
McKinnon, Donald Charles was born on February 27, 1939 in London.
Educated, Lincoln College, New Zealand. Doctor in commerce (honorary), Lincoln University, New Zealand.
Farm manager, 1964-1973. Real estate agent, farm management consultant, 1973-1978. National Party candidate for Birkenhead electorate, 1969, 72.
Foundation member Waitemata electorate. Member of Parliament from Albany electorate House of Representatives, Wellington, New Zealand, 1978-1994, junior government whip New Zealand, 1980-1982, senior government whip New Zealand, 1982-1984, senior opposition whip New Zealand, 1984, deputy leader opposition New Zealand. Minister foreign affairs, minister disarmament & arms control Government of New Zealand, 1990-1999, minister veterans affairs, minister war pensions, associate minister defense, 1990-1999.
Deputy prime minister, 1990-1996. Minister foreign affairs and trade, 1990-1999. Leader House of Representatives, 1992-1997.
Deputy chairman Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, 1995-1999. Appointed five member Commonwealth Ministerial Mission Small States, 1998. Secretary general The Commonwealth of Nations, London, 2000—2008.
Part-time tutor maximum-security prison inmates in rehabilitation programs. Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Expenditure and Central, Parliamentary Subcommittee. Chief whip party, 1987.
Chairman Commonwealth Small States meeting Auckland CHOGM, 1995.
Former member East Coast Bay Junior Chamber of Commerce and Auckland Debating Association, president 1976-1978. Organizer Paremo Prison Debating Society. Member Privy Council, 1992.
Married twice; 4 children from first marriage, 2 children from second marriage.