Sir Frank Holmes, a distinguished and influential economist and policy adviser to many governments, has died in Upper Hutt after a short illness at the age of 87.
Holmes became a bomber pilot in the Pacific during the Second World War. He returned to Victoria University after the war, graduating and then teaching as a professor of economics and money and finance.
There he met and married his wife Nola, the university students association's lady vice-president.
He was a founder of the Institute of Policy Studies at the university, where he remained a professor until his death.
Vice Chancellor Pat Walsh pays tribute, saying his leadership on important economic issues and his public contribution to economic debate and related policy matters will be remembered for generations to come.
Holmes' career saw him work advising several governments, both on domestic economic policy and foreign trade.
He served two terms on the Monetary and Economic Council, set up in 1961 by the Holyoake government.
In the 60s and 80s, Sir Frank was involved in debates on New Zealand's trade policies, including agreements with Australia and concessions to New Zealand when Britain joined the European Economic Community, which became the European Union.
Sir Frank was involved in the debates leading up to the 1960s and 1980s trade agreements with Australia, concessions to New Zealand upon Britain's entry in the European Economic Community (now the European Union) and Asia-Pacific cooperation.
He was a founder of the Institute of Policy Studies at Victoria University where, among other activities, he wrote a series of studies of trade relationships with senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He was knighted in 1975 for services to economics and education.
Made a justice of the peace in 1960, Holmes was awarded two honorary doctorates, one in law from Otago University in 1997 and one in commerce by Victoria University in 2004.
Holmes also worked extensively in the private sector, including Tasman Pulp and Paper Company, the National Bank of New Zealand's Southpac Finance subsidiary and the Norwich Union Group in New Zealand.
Sir Frank is survived by his son Ross, nine grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
A service will be held in St Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Wellington, on Monday afternoon at 1pm.
- with Newstalk ZB
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