‘Quiet leader’ devoted his life to Salvation Army
Garth McKenzie had a long and distinguished career in the Salvation Army, best summed up as the classic ‘‘game of two halves’’. After joining the Salvation Army in 1973, he quickly rose through the ranks and retired with the rank of commissioner, the highest office in the church in New Zealand.
His retirement in 2009 was not, however, the end of working for the church.
He spent the next 12 years still employed by the church but in a new role, training and mentoring students at the Booth College of Mission, in Upper Hutt.
McKenzie was born in Whanganui in 1944, the son of Dr Colvin Hugh McKenzie, a longtime doctor in the eastern suburbs in Wellington.
After leaving school, he worked at the James Smith store on the corner of Manners and Cuba streets, before marrying his lifelong partner, Mel Probert, and joining the church in 1973.
Lieutenant McKenzie received his commission in 1975 and his first appointment was to Taupo¯ in 1975.
After a spell in Canterbury, he served five years as the territorial forces military chaplain.
From there he held a range of posts, throughout New Zealand before being posted to Western Australia with the rank of divisional commander. The role gave him responsibility for Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
In 2007, the Dominion Post reported, somewhat condescendingly, that the ‘‘former James Smith department store manager Lieutenant Colonel Garth McKenzie’’ was now the second-in-command for the movement in New Zealand.
He retired as commissioner (but retained the rank) in 2009 and was made an MNZM in that year. For the next 12 years he trained cadets in Upper Hutt.
His career as a high-ranking officer had not been without controversy.
In the early 2000s, the church faced several sexual, physical and psychological abuse complaints.
In 2006, McKenzie apologised to the victims during a Radio New Zealand interview. A spokeswoman for the complainants, Jan Lowe, subsequently said none of the victims was warned of the apology, and they missed hearing it.
McKenzie was also part of a group of prominent church leaders who signed a declaration condemning a United States threat of war against Iraq in 2002.
‘‘We believe that an attack on Iraq would be immoral, unjust and illegal.
‘‘We believe that dealing with the dangers posed by malevolent dictators and terrorists can be achieved only by tackling the root causes of the disputes themselves.’’
Sadly, on a cadet tramp in late 2020, which Garth organised and led, the first signs that he was unwell began to emerge. He fell over several times and was distressed when cadets, whom he was used to helping, had to help him back to his feet.
He was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumour and died in February.
Friend and colleague Major David Noakes told the 350 people at his funeral that the church had a lost a ‘‘totara’’ who had exerted a great influence for over 40 years.
‘‘In many ways Garth’s officership was a game of two halves; the first half as an active officer leader and then the second half as an officer serving in retirement.
‘‘In both these capacities it would be true to say that every officer in the territory has been influenced and impacted by Garth.’’
His influence was ‘‘based on trust, admiration, experience and respect’’ in the way he dealt with everybody with whom he had contact. ‘‘He retained the respect and judgment of officers even when decisions had to be made which involved disappointment, because he carried aroha, mana and utter sincerity.’’
Daughter Sheryn Adamson said the church was his life and he had a deep sense of faith.
His personality made him a natural leader and people responded positively to his style, she said. ‘‘He was a quiet leader and people followed him because they respected him.’’
Throughout his life he displayed a strong commitment to serving the community, and treating every individual he met with respect.
‘‘If someone died, he would ring the partner every year and ask ‘how are you doing?’. He kept that up with some people for 20 years.’’
His decision to take the training role at the college, after retiring from the top job in 2009, reflected his commitment to serving the community, she said.
‘‘Because he was so fit and active, he was never going to retire and just go fishing.’’
He is survived by Mel, his wife of 53 years (celebrated on February 3), daughter Sheryn, son Craig and granddaughters Tayla and Rylee Adamson.
‘‘. . . it would be true to say that every officer in the territory has been influenced and impacted by Garth.’’