Tom McGuigan

McGuigan was born and raised in Christchurch.[2] The son of Thomas McGuigan, he was educated at Christchurch Boys' High School. He represented his school in various sports (cricket, soccer, and athletics).[3] He served as a naval officer in World War II and met his wife-to-be, Ruth, in Britain.[2] He married Ruth Deacon, the daughter of John Deacon, on 23 February 1946. They had one daughter and two sons.[3]

McGuigan was an accountant and secretary from 1946 to 1954. He was the house manager at Christchurch Hospital (1955–1957), senior administration officer at Princess Margaret Hospital (1957–1969), house manager of Coronation House (1963–1969), and house manager at the North Canterbury Hospital Board (NCHB) Subsidiary Institution (1965–1969).[3]

McGuigan stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in the 1954 election in Lyttelton. He later stood as a Labour Party candidate for the Christchurch City Council at a 1958 by-election, but was unsuccessful.[4]

McGuigan was elected to Parliament in the 1969 election in the Lyttelton electorate.[5] When Labour formed a government after the 1972 election, Norman Kirk appointed McGuigan as Minister of Railways, and Minister of Electricity.[6] As Minister of Electricity he had to react to New Zealand's growing power demands, but refused to resort to nuclear power, reaffirming the government's anti-nuclear stance.[7] After Kirk's sudden death, the new prime minister, Bill Rowling, appointed McGuigan to the portfolio that he had really wanted - Minister of Health.[2][6] McGuigan was unexpectedly defeated in the 1975 election by Colleen Dewe of the National Party.[8]

At the 1980 local-body elections he was elected a member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Despite being a first time candidate he "topped the poll" receiving more votes than any other candidate at the election.[9] McGuigan was re-elected to the board in 1983, but did not seek re-election in 1986.

McGuigan was active in the administration of soccer, and in 1974–1975 was the president of the New Zealand Football Association. He was for many years the secretary of the Canterbury Football Association, and he refereed boys' soccer.[3]

In the 1986 New Year Honours, McGuigan was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.[10] He died at Windsor House, a rest home in Christchurch's suburb of Shirley, on 5 February 2013, aged 91. His wife had died before him.[11]