New Year Honour for Commonwealth Secretary-General

31 December 2007

McKinnon receives New Zealand’s highest award

Rt Hon Don McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary-General, has been made a member of the Order of New Zealand, his country’s highest honour.

The award marks 30 years of public service to New Zealand, including the past eight years at the helm of the Commonwealth.

“I have had a fantastically interesting and inspiring time. The work is always demanding, occasionally it is frustrating but more often it is possible to make a real and positive difference to people’s lives,” Mr McKinnon said.

He added that during his eight years as Secretary-General, he had seen the very best and the very worst of what people can do to and for each other.

“I think the expression ‘humbled’ is usually employed when accepting an honour. For me the word was redefined on a visit to war torn Sierra Leone in 2001. At a rehabilitation camp, I was greeted by smiling children, from babies, toddlers, bright-eyed six and seven year-olds, to those a bit older.

“After my warm welcome they then offered a prayer for me -- this from children, all of whom were missing hands, arms, or their legs -- victims of frenzied violence in which their parents were also murdered. That is a truly humbling experience.

“I have encountered many acts of cruelty but even greater examples of courage among people from all parts of the Commonwealth. Sometimes it takes courage and nerve simply to continue working steadily in seemingly hopeless situations.”

Mr McKinnon added that he wanted to share his honour with those who had worked with him to help others, including Presidents and Prime Ministers, his staff over the past 30 years, and NGO workers.

Mr McKinnon was a member of New Zealand’s Parliament from 1978 to 2000 and served as Foreign Minister from 1990 to 1999, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House.

He thanked his family for their support, especially his wife, Clare de Lore “who makes me laugh, and also keeps my feet on the ground.”