Rt. Hon. Wyatt Creech

• Deputy Prime Minister
  
• Minister of Health
  
• MP, Wairarapa

       

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Wyatt Creech was born in Oceanside, California, in October 1946. His parents met in Masterton when his father was posted there as part of the US Marine contingent deployed in New Zealand following the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands during World War Two. Mr Creech's parents returned to the Wairarapa when he was a few months old and, after working on and managing farms there, purchased a farm in 1953. Mr Creech has lived in his electorate, the Wairarapa, ever since.

He attended primary school in Masterton and secondary school in Wanganui. On leaving school he worked on his family farm in the South Wairarapa before going to Massey University where he gained a Diploma in Sheep Farming.

He then travelled extensively. His journeys included an overland trip from Calcutta to London, travelling through places like Nepal, India and Pakistan, including a passage through the Khyber Pass to Kabul, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. Mr Creech's travels also took him deep into Russia and Eastern Europe. He then returned to New Zealand where he gained a BA in Political Science and International Politics at Victoria University. His degree includes Economics to Stage Two level.

After further overseas travel he returned to the family farm; then managed the setting-up of a vineyard and winery in the newly-emerging premium wine growing region of Martinborough. This winery is now the well-known and successful medal-winning wine producer, Palliser Estate. During the early years of this vineyard and winery being set up, Wyatt Creech worked in accountancy in Masterton.

Wyatt Creech entered Parliament as a Member of the National Party in 1988, overturning the Labour candidate following an electoral petition case in the Electoral Court. It was the first court challenge on breaking the strict rules against overspending during an election campaign. His final majority was 34 votes.

In opposition he was associate spokesperson for Revenue and Regional Development.

Following the successful outcome for National in the 1990 election, Wyatt Creech's majority in the Wairarapa went up by 4141 votes. Wyatt Creech was then appointed Minister of Revenue, Minister of Customs, Minister in Charge of the Public Trust Office and Minister responsible for the Government Superannuation Fund.

In October 1991 he was appointed Minister for Senior Citizens, Associate Minister of Finance and Associate Minister of Social Welfare following a Cabinet reshuffle, and relinquished the Customs portfolio. In a further shift of responsibilities in March 1993 he also became Minister for State Owned Enterprises.

As the Minister for Senior Citizens Mr Creech chaired the Multi-Party Group that succeeded in negotiating the Superannuation Accord between National, Labour and the Alliance.

Following the 1993 election, which National won in Wairarapa by 2239 votes, he was promoted to the portfolios of Employment and Revenue and made Deputy Minister of Finance. He also served on Parliament's Standing Orders Committee for the full review of the procedures which govern the operation of the House, in preparation for the shift to MMP. He is also a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

In March 1996 Mr Creech became Minister of Education in addition to the Employment portfolio, and relinquished his Deputy Finance and Revenue roles.

At the October 1996 MMP election Wyatt Creech was returned to Parliament as representative for the new enlarged Wairarapa electorate, with a majority of 7867 votes. When the Coalition Government was formed he was reappointed Minister of Education; relinquished Employment, and took on the role of Leader of the House. In the Cabinet reshuffle of December 1997, Mr Creech retained Education and Leader of the House and in addition gained the Courts portfolio and responsibility for Ministerial Services. Mr Creech was also elected Deputy Leader of the National Party in December 1997.

In August 1998 the Coalition Government dissolved. Mr Creech was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and handed responsibility for Minority Government Management the Legislation Programme and Ministerial Services in the National Party Minority Government. He retained the Education portfolio, and took on the responsibility for the Education Review Office.

The Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle of January 1999 has seen Mr Creech take on the Health portfolio and relinquish his Education role and responsibilities for Ministerial Services, Minority Government management, and managing the legislative programme

Mr Creech is married and lives in Martinborough. He and his wife Danny have three sons: Nicholas, John and Jacob.