17 Facts About Fred Hackett

Frederick Hackett was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Fred Hackett was a minister in both the First and Second Labour Governments of New Zealand and later the deputy leader of the opposition.

Fred Hackett was educated locally and played association football in his youth.

Fred Hackett found employment in the British Merchant Navy transporting refugees.

Fred Hackett became a gunner in the Royal Navy during World War I In 1921 he moved to New Zealand and he married Ivy Lily Bradford in Dunedin in 1923; together they had four children.

Fred Hackett became an active unionist and in 1922 Hackett gained employment at the Auckland Tramways Board.

Fred Hackett was a prominent member of the Auckland Tramways Union for the next twenty years.

Fred Hackett defeated John A Lee in the electorate after Lee was expelled from the Labour Party following the "Lee Affair".

Fred Hackett was described by contemporaries as a party hack, though he was well-liked by caucus members and the wider Labour Party.

In 1953, Fred Hackett was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.

Fred Hackett was a cabinet minister in the Fraser Ministry of the First Labour Government: Postmaster-General and Minister of Telegraphs, Minister of Transport, Minister of Marine, Minister in charge of the Public Trust Office, State Fire Insurance, and Government Life Insurance Department.

Fred Hackett was opposed to New Zealand joining the International Monetary Fund, arguing that the state should have sole right to govern the country's finances.

Fred Hackett beat Nordmeyer on the second ballot after Watt had been eliminated in the first ballot for the position, as a compromise candidate as was regarded by many within the Party as a middle roader.

Fred Hackett likely received sympathy votes as he was known to have been ill.

Fred Hackett did intend to stay in parliament and had already been re-selected to contest Grey Lynn at the upcoming 1963 general election.

On 19 March 1963 Fred Hackett collapsed and died at his New Lynn home.

Fred Hackett was survived by his wife, three sons and daughter.