24 Facts About Jim McLay

Jim McLay served as the ninth deputy prime minister of New Zealand from 15 March to 26 July 1984.

Jim McLay was Leader of the National Party and Leader of the Opposition from 29 November 1984 to 26 March 1986.

In May 2015, Jim McLay became New Zealand's Representative to the Palestinian Authority.

Jim McLay was born in Devonport, Auckland, the son of Robert and Joyce Jim McLay.

Jim McLay was educated at King's College, Auckland and the University of Auckland, gaining a law degree in 1967.

Jim McLay worked as a lawyer for some time, and became involved in a number of law associations.

Jim McLay had joined the National Party in 1963, and held a number of prominent positions within the party's Auckland branch.

King had been the local MP for 21 years and Jim McLay's win was seen as a surprise result.

In Parliament, Jim McLay was known as one of the more liberal members of the National Party, and had a particular focus on reforming laws that related to women's rights.

In October and November 1980 McLay was a leading member of 'the Colonels' who attempted to oust Muldoon as leader.

In early 1984, following the retirement of Duncan MacIntyre, Jim McLay became deputy leader of the National Party, and thus Deputy Prime Minister.

Jim McLay defeated fellow cabinet ministers Jim Bolger and Bill Birch for the position, receiving a majority in the first caucus ballot.

Jim McLay won the caucus vote with slightly over half the votes.

In early 1986 Jim McLay made a fatal mistake: in an attempt to "rejuvenate" the party's upper ranks, he demoted George Gair and Bill Birch, both of whom were highly respected for their long service.

Jim McLay then agreed to hold a leadership election, with himself and his deputy, Bolger, as contenders.

Jim McLay was the first full-time National Party leader, and one of three overall who left office without becoming Prime Minister or taking the party into an election.

Jim McLay served as chairman of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development, an independent industry body which advances best practice in infrastructure development, investment and procurement, from 2005 to 2006 and remained as patron until 2009.

In July 2009 Jim McLay took up the role of New Zealand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

On 16 October 2014, Jim McLay led New Zealand to victory in the United Nations Security Council election for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council winning in the first round of voting with 145 votes out of a possible 193 beating both Spain and Turkey.

Jim McLay took up New Zealand's seat on the United Nations Security Council on 1 January 2015.

On 20 February 2015, it was announced that Jim McLay is to finish his role as Permanent Representative after the end of his second term.

Jim McLay is set to become New Zealand's Representative to the Palestinian Authority, as well as being a special advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully and, when required, a Prime Ministerial special envoy.

In 1977, Jim McLay was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, and in 1990 he received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

In 2012, Jim McLay was awarded an honorary degree, a Doctor of Humane Letters, by Juniata College.