Graham Charles Fortune 1955 – 1959

Graham was educated at King’s High School, Dunedin from 1955 to 1959. He gained School Certificate in 1957 and studied Science subjects in 1958 and 1959. University Entrance was achieved in 1958. While at King’s he became a member of the Caversham Harrier Club where he enjoyed running around the countryside on Saturdays with the ‘colts pack’.

He went on to study Chemistry and Geology at the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1962 and a Master of Science in 1963.

After leaving university, Graham worked as a Journalist for four years on the Dunedin Evening Star. In April 1964 he joined the Department of External Affairs. Initially he was in the South Pacific and Antarctic Affairs Division, and involved with administration of New Zealand’s Science and Exploration programme in the Ross Dependency and the development of Scott Base. He also gained a lifelong love of Antarctica, visiting several times.

He then had a number of overseas postings, including to the Cook Islands in 1965, five years in Ottawa, and three years in Papua New Guinea which gained its independence while he was in the country.

After a secondment to the State Services Commission from 1977 to 1980, he was a Senior Administrator in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for six years before being appointed the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs From 1987 to 1990 inside Foreign Affairs, he left a mark by advocating for an expanded New Zealand role in the Pacific from the 1970s, and by helping to modernise the ministry from the 1980s onwards.

He served as New Zealand’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva in the late 1980s. As well as working on the Uruguay round of World Trade talks, he was charged with representing New Zealand’s bold new position on nuclear disarmament. That stance put the country at odds with major allies, as well as many other countries, and the task was a fraught one. He was also High Commissioner to Australia from 1994 to 1999.

Graham was Secretary of Defence from 1999 until his retirement in 2006. The post also had its challenges; he was in charge when New Zealand scrapped its air force combat wing, and when it first contributed to the US-led war in Afghanistan.

He subsequently served as a Board Member of Antarctica New Zealand and undertook various consultancy roles for the New Zealand Government in the areas of policy and management.

Graham was a keen runner who represented New Zealand in Orienteering. He was an Orienteering Stalwart for decades, including being Vice President of the New Zealand Orienteering Federation in 2007 and 2008. He was a member of the World Cup 2013 Steering Group, and was one of the earliest members of Wellington Orienteering Club. His involvement covered all aspects of Orienteering and he was an inspiration to many. Graham had an interest in the arts and was a keen supporter of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.

In the 2007 New Year Honours, Graham was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for public services.