Author(s): Matthew Wright

New Zealand Biography & Memoirs

Donald McLean. The hard-tempered Scot whose policies shaped New Zealand's colonial-age race relations, and gave rise to grievances that echo into the twenty-first century. The government official who used his position to get land for his personal ventures – and provoked war between Maori along the way. The man who, rumour insists, used his power as our Minister of Defence to order the shooting of his own illegitimate son – the right-hand man of terror leader Te Kooti. McLean's role as the powerhouse behind some of the dodgiest land controversies of settler-era New Zealand is well known. But the man behind those deeds has remained largely hidden. Man of Secrets, a new biography by Matthew Wright, delves into the man behind the public persona – the private Donald McLean. A man dogged by his upbringing, wrestling with his insecurities – a devout and fearful man who felt himself inadequate before God and who never recovered from the loss of his young wife. *** 'Matthew Wright is one of our most prolific social historians, an assiduous researcher and an engaging writer.' —Weekend Press   Also available as an ebook.