eventually in 1958 rising to be its Secretary. The First National Government had blocked Sutch's promotion to the head of the department because of an American threat that they would regard New Zealand's security as suspect (The United States communicated secret information to its ANZUS and SEATO allies which included New Zealand). Leading National Party MPs openly regarded Sutch to be a Communist. However the Second Labour Government appointed Sutch to be permanent head of the department. Prime Minister Walter Nash, who knew Sutch well, ignored the objections of the Security Service who thought an appointment was not worth compromising allegiance to the United States. Nash's biographer described Sutch's elevation as a "courageous decision". There he promoted the development of the New Zealand economy using the policy instruments of the day, including price controls, subsidies and import controls. He concluded that pastoral exports by themselves would not generate enough foreign exchange to maintain full employment, and would continue to make the economy highly vulnerable to fluctuations in international conditions. So he sought import substitution, the further processing of agricultural production for export, and the exporting of non-pastoral agricultural exports, manufacturing and services (such as tourism). As such he foresaw, championed and laid the foundations of the great export diversifications of the 1970s. Sutch's promotion of industrialisation was anathema to much of the farming community, though many in the business community supported him. In March 1965 he was forced to retire after 40 years of public service employment. His dismissal letter said, "you do not enjoy the confidence of the business community and of the Government to the measure desired of the permanent head of your department." At the age of 57 he became a consultant. Among his many further publications were the books, Colony or Nation?, The Responsible Society in New Zealand, Takeover New Zealand, and Women with a Cause. His festschrift, Spirit of an Age, was published in 1975. Sutch became active in the arts and architectural communities, including the Wellington Architectural Centre. He was an early and active promoter of New Zealand design, asserting that quality design was central to economic and social development. He helped to set up the Wellington Architectural Centre, provided the intellectual framework that led to the formation of the New Zealand Industrial Design Council and chaired the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council (now Creative New Zealand). Legacy Sutch's writing provides one of the