[3] McGuigan then studied accountancy at Christchurch Technical College until World War II broke out.

He visited many Asian countries, where poverty was rife and class differences stood out, he decided later to enter politics for this reason and improve people's living standards.

She ended up arriving in New Zealand first, because the ship carrying McGuigan had to turn around at Fremantle and head back to England.

McGuigan's fellow servicemen, the English rugby league team and a group of Catholic priests who had been on board were taken to Melbourne via a troop train instead.

The rail journey was drawn out for about a week by frequent stops to allow other trains through, and to cook meals in the outdoors.

[5] After failing to win the seat, McGuigan decided not to stand again but to commit himself to his career in hospital administration for the foreseeable future.

[8] When Kirk switched to the Sydenham electorate in 1969, McGuigan stood to replace him for Lyttelton and won selection.

Inspecting the work, he was stunned by evidence all around of the effects of war damage and that gunfire could still be heard clearly in the distance.

[4] He commented on the changes in 2001 saying "I still believe firmly that essential services which operated successfully for many years should have remained in the hands of the people, that is, the Government.

[17] He died at Windsor House, a rest home in Christchurch's suburb of Shirley, on 5 February 2013, aged 91.