New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake - Personal Papers plus his sunglasses

These items were purchased from a lady who was engaged to be married to Holyoake's son, Roger who died suddenly of a heart attack. The lady in question was left these items in his estate.

These were kept in a chocolate box in Sir Keith's bedside table and amongst other things contain his drivers licence, his first candidate photos, his sunglasses and his original School Certificate of Proficiency.(School Leaving Certificate)

Private papers such as these rarely come on the open market and provide an intimate snapshot of one of New Zealand's pre-eminent Prime Ministers.

Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake KG GCMG CH QSO KStJ 1904-1983. 26th Prime Minister of New Zealand 1957 and 1960 to 1972. Also served as New Zealand's Governor-General 1977/1980.

Fondly known as 'Kiwi Keith' he was also known for his diplomatic style and plummy voice.

CONTENTS OF A CHOCOLATE BOX KEPT IN SIR KEITH HOLYOAKE'S BEDSIDE CABINET

1. NZ Education Department ‘Certificate of Proficiency’  for Standard VI showing Holyoake left school at the age of 12 years 9 months.
2. New Zealand Driver’s Licence issued to Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake on 20 July, 1967
3. Holyoake’s first candidate photos
4. Letter from A.E. Mander, Dominion General Secretary of the Reform Party (the precursor to the National Party) telling Holyoake that ‘His greatest drawback is an air of conceit which may cost him a lot of votes’
5. A form letter from the Public Service Commissioner’s Office dated 30 November, 1925, advising Holyoake that he had been unsuccessful in his application for the job of Assistant Orchard Instructor in the Agriculture Department.
6. Acknowledgement letter from the Office of the Public Service Commissioner dated 30 July, 1925.
7. Letter of reference dated 29 July, 1925 from R.P. Hudson, Reform Party MP for Motueka.
8. Letter of reference dated September 14,. 1925 from W. E. Rowling (father of Labour Prime Minister Bill Rowling)
9. Letter of reference dated 25 July 1925 from Holyoake’s father, Orchardist - H. Victor Holyoake.
10. Letter of reference dated July 18, 1925 from J Wallace JP MBE
11. Letter of reference dated July 18, 1925 from Mayor of Motueka, Major D.W. Talbot
12. Letter of reference dated 16 July, 1925 from Rev Robert Scott
13. Letter of reference dated September 17, 1925 from F Allen Hamilton, President Riwaka Fruitgrowers’ Association.
14. Bank of New Zealand promissory note made out to K.J. Holyoake for the sum of one hundred pounds from F. Allen Hamilton.
15. Letter Dated 16 June, 1931 from the Department of Internal Affairs forwarding passport (No 54611) together with receipt # 212990 for 1 pound.
16. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Application Receipt being a deposit of 1 pound per share on application for 50 shares in the Reserve Bank of New Zealand dated 12 February, 1934 made out to Mr Keith Jacka Holyoake of Riwaka, Nelson.
17. Motor Vehicle insurance certificate dated 10 July, 1930 made out to Mr K.J. Holyoake for an Oakland car.
18. A Silver Jubilee invitation issued by the Tikaokao Wanderers to Mr K.J. Holyoake for a Reunion ‘Smoko’ in Riwaka on 29 May,1937.
19. Government Life Insurance Department profit statement 1935.
20. Certificate of Valuation made out to Mrs Holyoake by W. Littlejohn & Son Ltd of Wellington dated 29 October 1965 for a ‘Diamond 18ct & Silver Brooch – approx. (3.6ct Diamonds) valued at L>620.0.0 Also included is a ring pouch.
21. Miscellaneous – Postcard dated 8/2/18 from Pte W.H.S. Newsome, Machine Gun Section to ‘Con’. Aeroflot Moscow tag.
22. Orinoco School Concert Programme 1930.
23. Motueka Lawn Tennis Association By-Laws.
24. Pair of sun-glasses
25. Chocolate Box kept in Holyoake’s bedside cabinet.