Colin McLachlan

Colin Campbell Alexander McLachlan (28 November 1924 – 26 September 1985) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

Biography

Parliament of New Zealand
Years	Term	Electorate		Party
1966–1969	35th	Selwyn		National
1969–1972	36th	Selwyn		National
1972–1975	37th	Rakaia		National
1975–1978	38th	Rakaia		National
1978–1981	39th	Selwyn		National

McLachlan was born in Christchurch in 1924. He received his education at Lakeside Primary School and at St. Andrew's College. He farmed at Methven and bred horses.

He first stood for election in the Christchurch Central electorate in 1957 election. He then became the Member of Parliament for Selwyn 1966–1972, then Rakaia 1972–1978, then Selwyn again 1978–1981.

He was the Minister of Railways, Minister of Transport and Minister of Civil Aviation and Meteorological Services in the Third National Government from 1975 to 1981, and a close friend of Prime Minister Muldoon. They owned race horses together, and at one time McLachlan was a "front bencher" which surprised many political observers. He was appointed to the board of the Reserve Bank by Muldoon in 1981.

Hugh Templeton wrote that McLachlan:

was the only real confidant Muldoon had in power I had a feeling that Muldoon may have enticed him into politics as someone who had a good knowledge of the National Party and whom he liked. As a minister McLachlan was slow and not very active, but he was influentially placed in the middle of cabinet. Muldoon could trust him completely; he knew that unlike others McLachlan would never compete. They spent a lot of time together, talking shop and drinking. Muldoon from my experience did most of the talking. McLachlan, the listener, was the ultimate good mate. He was an invaluable sounding board for the relatively friendless Muldoon and his door was one route through which fellow parliamentarians might approach the prickly prime minister.

In 1984, Ruth Richardson successfully challenged the re-nomination of McLachlan in the Selwyn electorate.

File:Barrhill 083.JPG

Corwar Gatekeepers Lodge in 2015

The McLachlans gave the derelict Corwar Gatekeepers Lodge near Barrhill to the people of the Ashburton District. Renovation began in 1970, with work carried out and financed by descendants of previous inhabitants of the building. The building was formally reopened by the Prime Minister of the time, Robert Muldoon in March 1979. The gate house is fitted out as a museum, and viewing can be arranged through the Ashburton or Methven information centres.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Ron Bailey	Minister of Railways 1975–1981	Succeeded by George Gair
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by John McAlpine	Member of Parliament for Selwyn 1966–1972 1978–1981	In abeyance Title next held by himself
In abeyance Title last held by himself		Succeeded by Ruth Richardson
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Rakaia 1972–1978	In abeyance Title next held by Jenny Shipley