Hugh Watt

Hugh Watt (19 March 1912 – 4 February 1980) was a New Zealand politician who was a Labour member of Parliament and the acting prime minister of New Zealand between 31 August and 6 September 1974, following the death of Prime Minister Norman Kirk. He had been the fifth deputy prime minister of New Zealand since 8 December 1972. Watt later served as high commissioner to the United Kingdom. Biography Early life Watt was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1912. His father, William Watt, was a mining engineer and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 1914 when he was two years old, settling in Auckland. His father lost an arm in Australia and moved back to New Zealand to take up a position as a watchman at the Auckland Harbour Board. Watt attended Remuera Primary School and his headmaster was Sir Leslie Munro's father. He attended Seddon Memorial Technical College where he studied engineering and also played senior grade rugby for the Tech Old Boy's club. He became an apprentice engineer and joined the Engineers' Union of which he was a member for 16 years. He enjoyed his union membership, but never aspired to hold any office within it. He established his own engineering business in 1947. He was director of the business, Hugh Watt & Coy Ltd., which operated in both engineering operations and sheet metal working. He continued to run the business (even while a minister) until 1969 when he accepted a doctor's advice to lessen his workload. Previously, in 1962, he had also reduced his workload by resigning as executive director of the Auckland City Development Association after one year in the role. He was succeeded by Allan Highet (later a National MP).