Gray Nelson

Graydon Brian Nelson QSO (born 8 May 1927) is a former New Zealand public servant and diplomat.

Early life and family

Nelson spent his childhood in Taranaki, then the Auckland suburb of Epsom, and was educated at St Peter's College where he was a foundation pupil in 1939.[1]

In 1956, Nelson married Mary Anne Butler O’Connell, and the couple had three children.

Career

Nelson began working in the Department of Lands and Survey in 1952 and later in the New Zealand Parliament[2] and was private secretary to six New Zealand prime ministers: Keith Holyoake, Jack Marshall, Norman Kirk,[2] Bill Rowling, Robert Muldoon,[3] and Michael Moore. He also held the diplomatic position of counsellor at the New Zealand High Commission to the United Kingdom between 1978 and 1981.[3]

Honours

In the 1987 New Year Honours, Nelson was appointed a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for public services.[4]

References
  1. Gray Nelson, "Memories of my Catholic Education", Tui Motu: InterIslands Issue 263, September 2021, p. 21.
  2. Grant, David (2014), The Mighty Totara: The Life and Times of Norman Kirk, Auckland, NZ: Random House, p. 227, ISBN 978 1 77553 579 9
  3. R.D. Muldoon, Muldooon, A H & A W Reed, Wellington, 1977, p. 142.
  4. "No. 50766". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 31 December 1986. p. 34.


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