1. David Francis Caygill was born on 15 November 1948 and is a former New Zealand politician.
32 Facts About David Caygill
1. 2.
David Caygill entered politics in 1971 as Christchurch's youngest city councillor at the age of 22.
3.
David Caygill served as a Member of Parliament from 1978 to 1996, representing the Labour Party.
4.
David Caygill was educated at St Albans Primary School and Christchurch Boys' High School, and then studied at the University of Canterbury, graduating Bachelor of Arts in 1971 and Bachelor of Laws in 1974.
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In 1971 David Caygill was President of the University of Canterbury Students' Association from 1975 to 1978.
6.
David Caygill's allegiance switched to Labour in part due to its stance against the Vietnam War, which he opposed.
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David Caygill was chair of the council's staff and community services committee.
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David Caygill was first elected to Parliament at the 1978 general election as MP for the Christchurch electorate of St Albans.
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David Caygill was described as one of the most energetic new members elected at the 1978 election.
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Just under a year later in a reshuffle in October 1979 David Caygill was promoted by Labour leader Bill Rowling and given the economic development portfolio.
11.
David Caygill's duties changed again in February 1982 and he became Shadow Minister of Energy.
12.
When David Lange replaced Rowling leader he appointed Caygill as Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry in March 1983.
13.
The "Rogernomics" reforms, which were based on free market economic theory, were unpopular with many traditional Labour supporters, but David Caygill managed to avoid the worst of the condemnation directed towards Douglas and Prebble.
14.
The government opened up and liberalised the New Zealand economy and David Caygill's portfolios were heavily affected.
15.
When Douglas was fired by Prime Minister Lange, David Caygill was appointed Minister of Finance in his place.
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David Caygill became Minister of Revenue, but dropped the health portfolio.
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David Caygill was a reluctant supporter of the Government's privatisation programme, particularly selling the Bank of New Zealand.
18.
In December 1991 David Caygill was replaced as finance spokesperson by Michael Cullen, who was more moderate in his economic policies.
19.
David Caygill continued to hold a senior position in the Labour Party and was instead appointed Shadow Minister of Justice and Energy.
20.
David Caygill cited Sir Geoffrey Palmer as a role model for his deputy leadership.
21.
In June 1995 after Labour MP Margaret Austin defected from Labour to form a new party, United New Zealand, David Caygill replaced her as Shadow Minister of Education.
22.
David Caygill supported Clark in an attempt to oust her as leader in favour of frontbencher Phil Goff in the lead up to the 1996 election.
23.
David Caygill announced his retirement on 11 June 1996 to a surprised caucus, after which Cullen was elected as his successor as deputy leader unopposed.
24.
David Caygill said there had been no pressure on him to quit but hoped it would provide the "circuit-breaker" to Labour's troubles.
25.
David Caygill worked for a number of government bodies, and was chair of the Accident Compensation Corporation.
26.
David Caygill chaired a ministerial inquiry into the New Zealand electricity market in 2000, and was appointed chairman of the Electricity Commission in 2007.
27.
David Caygill is a board member of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
28.
David Caygill is the chair of the Education New Zealand Trust.
29.
From 2010 to 2019, David Caygill was one of the commissioners at Environment Canterbury appointed by the National Government.
30.
David Caygill was appointed, in December 2010, as the Chair of the 2011 NZ ETS Review Panel.
31.
In 1990, David Caygill was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
32.
David Caygill was conferred an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree by Victoria University of Wellington in 2004.