farmer and politician who served twice as prime minister (1957, 1960–72) and was the first politician to be appointed governor general of New Zealand (1977–80).

A member of Parliament (1932–38, 1943–77), he was also vice-president of the Dominion Council of the Farmers Federation, represented New Zealand at the First World Conference of Farmers (1946), and was president of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Conference (1955). He became prime minister for a brief period following the retirement of Prime Minister Sir Sidney Holland (1957), and as leader of the National Party he became prime minister again in 1960. Sir Keith was knighted in 1970 and served as minister of state (1975–77) until his appointment as governor general.