McKinnon, Don (1939-…), is a New Zealand politician who was secretary-general of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2000 to 2008. He had previously served in New Zealand’s Parliament.
Donald Charles McKinnon was born in London on Feb. 27, 1939, and educated in New Zealand and the United States. He was a farm management consultant and real estate agent in New Zealand before entering Parliament in 1978 for Albany. He served as an opposition whip and spokesman on health and defense. In 1990, McKinnon’s party, the National Party, gained control of the government. From 1990 to 1996, McKinnon was deputy prime minister, and from 1990 to 1999, he was minister of foreign affairs and trade. He was leader of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1996. He also served as minister for disarmament and arms control, minister of veterans’ affairs, associate minister of defense, minister in charge of war pensions, and minister of Pacific Island affairs.
