| Sir Denis Blundell GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QSO |
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|---|---|
| 12th Governor-General of New Zealand | |
| In office 27 September 1972 – 5 October 1977 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Jack Marshall (1972) Norman Kirk (1972–1974) Bill Rowling (1974–1975) Robert Muldoon (1975–1977) |
| Preceded by | Sir Arthur Porritt |
| Succeeded by | Sir Keith Holyoake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 May 1907 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 24 September 1984 (aged 77) Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Spouse(s) | June Halligan, ONZ QSO GCStJ |
| Profession | Lawyer, Diplomat |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | New Zealand Army |
| Service/branch | 2 NZEF |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Sir Edward "Denis" Blundell, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, QSO (29 May 1907 – 24 September 1984) was the 12th Governor-General of New Zealand from 1972 to 1977.
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Born in Wellington to Henry Percy Fabian Blundell, grandson of Henry Blundell, founder of The Evening Post.[1]
Denis attended Waitaki Boys' High School and Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. He studied law and was called to the Bar in England in 1929. He did not practise in England however, and returned to New Zealand in 1930, practising as barrister and solicitor in Wellington. He was a partner in the Wellington law firm of Bell Gully from 1936 to 1968. During World War II he was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 2 NZEF, from 1939 to 1944.
He was President of the Wellington District Law Society in 1951, President of the New Zealand Law Society for six years (1962–1968) and Vice-President of the Law Society of Asia and the Pacific 1966.
Sir Denis was a gifted cricketer, and played first class cricket for Cambridge University and Wellington from 1928 – 1938.[2] He was later President of the New Zealand Cricket Board 1959 – 1962.
He married June Halligan in 1945; they had a son and a daughter.
Sir Denis was appointed by Prime Minister Keith Holyoake as High Commissioner for New Zealand in Britain and Ambassador to Ireland in 1968. In 1972 he returned to New Zealand.
Blundell was appointed in 1972 by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of her Prime Minister Jack Marshall to the office of Governor-General of New Zealand. Leader of the Opposition, Norman Kirk did not support the appointment, because of Sir Denis' friendship with the Prime Minister. At his swearing-in ceremony, the Prime Minister referred to Sir Denis as "a close personal friend over many years in the law, in the battle of the EEC and in many a battle on the golf-course".[3] Blundell was the first New Zealand-born and resident Governor-General, and his appointment prompted David Lange to say "it sort of made us somehow mortal. A man who was a lawyer and the son of a newspaper publisher could become the Queen in drag."[4]
Blundell was the first Governor-General to appear on the electoral roll, for the 1972 general election, although it is unclear if he voted (under New Zealand electoral law a citizen is only required to register to vote).[4] In office, Blundell dispensed with the traditional plumed helmet, stating "I'd feel an awful Joe underneath one of those hats."[4] Instead, he wore a plain uniform, and usually only for visits to military bases.[5]
His term ended in 1977.
Sir Denis Blundell died in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, in 1984; he was survived by his wife and children.
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| Government offices | ||
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| Preceded by Sir Arthur Porritt |
Governor-General of New Zealand 1972–1977 |
Succeeded by Sir Keith Holyoake |
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