SIS deputy director at the height of the Cold War
John Turner deputy director of NZSIS b September 24, 1929 d November 10, 2018 J
ohn Turner, who has died in Tauranga, had a distinguished career in the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service during the height of the Cold War.
At a time when Communism was seen as threatening the West, his work contributed to international understanding of communist groups and their objectives and what the Western democracies could do in response.
Born at Herne Bay, Kent, in the United Kingdom, Turner went straight from school to National Service, where he became an instructor in the Royal Tank Regiment. He then joined Lloyds Bank, before emigrating to New Zealand in 1954.
He applied to join the public service and took up a clerical position with the Department of Labour and Employment. He was soon recognised as ‘‘one of the more outstanding officers in the younger age group’’, and was appointed to the restriction section of the Labour Department, which dealt with various nationalities. While in this position, he became well-known to staff of what was then the New Zealand Security Service.
There was no advertising of vacancies in those days, with recruitment strictly by ‘‘shoulder-tapping’’. Turner was thought to be the right fit, and was interviewed by Brigadier Bill Gilbert, the director of security, in November 1959.
The following January he was transferred to the general duties division of the Justice Department – the name given to the service for cover purposes – and started work as a field officer in Wellington. This job involved getting out and about collecting information, rather than sitting behind a desk.
In 1964, he was transferred in the same role to Auckland, where he gained high praise for his work in the counter-subversion area, and was an able secondin-command to the manager, then known as the district officer.
Early in 1973, he returned to headquarters as head of Q (Field) Branch, and gained credit for his work during a major espionage case, before being posted to Auckland to manage the office.
Four years later he was back at headquarters in charge of operations, and in December 1982 became the service’s deputy director. In this role he provided the director, Lin Smith, with astute advice as the NZSIS faced new challenges, including the Rainbow Warrior bombing and the Anzus rift.
After retiring in September 1989, Turner returned briefly to review files, an exercise conducted in the light of recent legislation and a growing public expectation that irrelevant records should not be held.
He is remembered with affection as a debonair presence, with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Readily approachable, he had a relaxed manner and took all in his stride with good humour.
Turner spent his retirement fishing, playing bowls, and took special pride in the family’s olive grove. He moved with wife Valmai to be closer to son Max and their four grandchildren.
Daughter Jane said the family had no real appreciation for the lasting impact Turner had on so many through his work. For weeks after his death, they received cards and letters from far and wide, remarking on her father.
He was forever a dapper English gentleman, she said, who was able to relate to everybody he came across in his work.
Valmai, who married Turner in 1957, was particularly struck by the message of one card, which quoted Pope John XXIII: ‘‘Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage.’’