The smiths return home

One of Kaipara’s most famous couples, Sir Lockwood Smith and Lady Alexandra Smith, recently returned home from their sojourn overseas where Sir Lockwood served as New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK. Politician then diplomat.

When I rang him I chose midday-ish hoping I would catch him snatching a bite of lunch but also aware it is calving season in his big herd of Belgian Blue cattle on his Matakohe Farm and he could well be anywhere, literally up to his armpits in things farming.

Ironically he was home, but the politician-cum-diplomat cum farmer was busy writing a report for one of the many bodies with which he is still associated. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Having stepped into politics in 1984, Lockwood Smith became well versed in the cut and thrust and showed tenacity in forging a political career culminating in the post of Speaker of the House, a position he relinquished in 2012 to take up his British posting.

Also with a firm grounding in farming specifically, and agriculture generally, he was able to show a lot of interest in matters in Europe other than just politics while overseas. His depth of knowledge and experience of farming thrust him to the centre of agriculture in the UK.

“I think I have probably spoken at every National Farmers Union group meeting in the country,” he said “plus numerous conferences and at universities. My main message was that reform is possible. They still have a lot of protection through subsidies in the EU and UK which we dropped in the late 80s.”

He explained that New Zealand is in a great place at present compared to the UK, though we must continue to work hard to maintain our trading place in the world given the uncertainty of Brexit and the unknown moves of leaders elsewhere. New Zealand is a valuable partner for Britain and recognised as world leaders in trade strategy, but the next five years will be a challenging time for Britain though also an opportunity to develop a free trade agreement with Europe and establish global trade strategies.

Sir Lockwood, until his departure for the UK, had bred and developed perhaps the best Belgian Blue beef cattle show team in the country but insists he is “too old for that now.” He is equally resolute that his political life is over but he is still very much in demand as a speaker in New Zealand and overseas. He is on the Board of the Commonwealth of Learning, a distance educator for developing countries, a legacy of his time as Minister of Education. He will also be speaking at the Prosperity UK Conference fringe event of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester in October.

Meanwhile Lady Alex Smith has resumed her former position as temporary councellor at Otamatea High School while the incumbent is currently on maternity leave. She previously held this post from 2006-13 prior to the move to the UK.

Both feel they are richer for the experience making many lifelong friends along the way but are pleased to be back on their Matakohe farm again.

BACK: Lockwood and Alexandra Smith have settled quickly back into kiwi life.