A lawyer by profession, Hardie Boys was a partner in his father's law firm; this became Scott Hardie Boys & Morrison.[1] He was on the council of the Wellington District Court Law Society (1973–1979) before he became its president in 1979. He was on the council of the New Zealand Law Society (1976–1979). For the New Zealand Law Society, he served on the Legal Aid Board before appointed its chairman in 1978.[5]
In May 1996, shortly before the introduction of MMP, Hardie Boys announced that his role in the event of an unclear election outcome would be limited; he stated that he would not personally decide who led a government but would act on the advice of elected politicians.[10]
Controversy ensued in 1996 when he stated his opposition to Minister of Youth Affairs Deborah Morris's suggestion that young people have access to contraceptives.[13] Later, in 2001, further controversy arose when he made an implied attack on the Clark Labour Government's scrapping of the air defence wing of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.[13]
As governor-general, Hardie Boys had constitutional, ceremonial and community functions as per New Zealand's conventions. The constitutional duties involved summoning parliament at the beginning of each parliamentary session, delivering the prime minister's speech from the throne as part of these openings,[a] the signing of bills that had been passed by parliament into law. Ceremonial duties included bestowing royal honours, and to prorogue parliament at the end of its term. Ceremonial duties included acting as patron for many of the country's societies.[15]
Hardie Boys travelled extensively in the South Pacific, visiting Niue, Tokelau, and the Cook Islands – where he served as Governor-General – as well as Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia. His visits to New Caledonia and French Polynesia were the first by a New Zealand governor-general.[16] Hardie Boys hosted United States President Bill Clinton during the 1999 APEC Summit in Auckland,[17] and represented New Zealand at the 50th anniversary of NATO in Washington. He made a full state visit to China in November 2000.[16]
Upon the completion of his term on 21 March 2001, Sir Michael and Lady Hardie Boys were both appointed additional Companions of the Queen's Service Order.[18]
Retirement and death
After his retirement as Governor-General of New Zealand, Hardie Boys served as a judge of the Kiribati Court of Appeal. He lived in retirement at Waikanae, where he helped out at Kapanui School's literacy programme.[19]
In 2004, Hardie Boys stated his opposition to New Zealand becoming a republic, stating in an interview: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."[20]
Hardie Boys died in Waikanae on 29 December 2023, at the age of 92.[19][21][22] His wife, Mary, Lady Hardie Boys, died on 26 June 2024, also at Waikanae.[23]
Arms
Coat of arms of Sir Michael Hardie Boys
Notes
Michael Hardie Boys was granted armorial bearings with life supporters by the College of Arms on 8 February 2000, which consist of:[24][25]
Certus et Constans (Sure and Steadfast – in reference to the Boys' Brigade)
Explanatory footnotes
^The speech from the throne would be read by the monarch if in the country but during Hardie Boys' term, Elizabeth II did not visit; she had last been in New Zealand in November 1995 and next in February 2002.[14]
^Hardie Boys, Michael (24 May 1996). The Role of the Governor-General under MMP (Speech). Address to the Annual Dinner of the Institute of International Affairs. Wellington.
^TRANSCRIPT OF EXTRACT FROM THE RECORDS OF THE COLLEGE OF ARMS – Grants 166/110 – Grant of Arms, Crest and Supporters to Sir Michael Hardie Boys, College of Arms, 2000
