The Administrative Career of Dr W B Sutch 1958 – 1965: a Study in New Zealand Bureaucratic Politics

Abstract

’The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends upon him’ – George Bernard Shaw 1. About W. B. Sutch This thesis is a case study of bureaucratic politics. Its purpose is to track the career and professional development of an exceptional figure in New Zealand’s public service history – economist, writer, political commentator and public servant, Dr. William Ball Sutch (1907-1975). W. B. Sutch was exceptional for his accomplishments, but also for the way in which he accomplished them. This study focuses in particular upon his leadership of the Department of Industries and Commerce 1958-1965 when, as Permanent Head, he administered and promoted a policy of import protection for the purposes of national economic and social development, arguably his most influential period in New Zealand politics. How Sutch achieved that influence is the subject of this study.