Who Makes A Difference In Hawke’s Bay?
Top 100 Buzzmakers 2010 (see list below)
Back by popular demand!
For the second year, BayBuzz has attempted to identify one hundred individuals in Hawke’s Bay who make an uncommon impact on the well-being of the region.
How can one make an uncommon impact? By excelling in some field of endeavor. By leading and motivating others to become involved in community activities. By financially, or by outstanding personal service, supporting community causes and human needs. By championing our environment. By modeling important values and behaviours to others in the community. By significantly driving the region’s economic, social or cultural development. By influencing the direction of local government on a regular basis.
The point of this exercise is to celebrate such contributions to the community. To give recognition and show appreciation, to cheer them on to do even more, and to encourage other people to make similar contributions.
In making our selections, we have tried to emphasize leaders of today and tomorrow. That said, we’ve created a new category – BayBuzz Legends – to recognize individuals who have made a huge mark on the community over time. Not that these folks have stopped contributing to the community; but if they did, the Bay would still be deeply indebted.
Since this list is about Hawke’s Bay, we have emphasized individuals whose major focus is here in the region. But you’ll see that many of the Bay’s leaders carry significant influence in the nation, to our region’s benefit.
Some might say a “Top 100” list is an audacious notion. That many, many additional people around the Bay in one way or another make life in the region better for the rest of us. Does a “list” not detract from their contributions? And who decided this list anyway … what were their biases or blind spots?
Fair enough … such concerns are legitimately felt and deserve being weighed. Each reader can come to his or her own judgment.
However, in support, this project has been greeted almost universally with enthusiasm. Dozens of people – representing a broad swath of sectors and networks in the community – called attention to individuals they believe deserve recognition.
Altogether, over one hundred new nominees were considered, in addition to many “repeats’ from last year’s list, covering all sorts of sectors, interests and activities. I take full responsibility for sifting this splendid pool down to the finalists, as well as for selecting a ‘First Fifteen’ list.
As you will see, some of the Top 100 Buzzmakers are prominent, active across a range of interests, and probably known to most readers. Others operate “below the radar” or in a specific sector and are not widely known by the public, but clearly have strong reputations and a following within their area of focus.
Only one category was excluded – elected officials. Many of our elected leaders – Lawrence Yule, Barbara Arnott, Kevin Atkinson, Fenton Wilson, Cynthia Bowers, Henare O’Keefe, John Cocking, Peter Dunkerley … to name a few – make huge contributions to the community outside their official roles. But were we to include the generals and captains, they’d crowd out too many corporals who deserve a bit of a spotlight.
As for the First Fifteen, here is my reasoning. If you had to put only a limited number of people in a room and ask them to address any challenge we face here in the Bay, this is the team I’d want on the job. This is a group with a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives. If these fifteen strong personalities all agreed on a strategy or solution, you can bet that it would be acutely examined, prudent in business terms, future proof, tasteful, culturally sensitive, just, environmentally sound, and in the broad public interest.
So, meet the Top 100 Buzzmakers of 2010 inside. Come up with your own First Fifteen. No doubt you will disagree with some of the selections. I myself disagree, strongly, on certain issues with some of these individuals. But, by and large, I hope you will agree with our nominators that this is a group of Hawke’s Bay’s finest citizens and contributors, deserving of our recognition.
Finally, if there’s someone not on the list who you believe should be, let them know. Your recognition will mean heaps to them and help keep their fire burning.
Special thanks to Elizabeth Sisson for helping to compile Buzzmaker backgrounds.
BayBuzz Top 100 Buzzmakers 2010
*New to list
Sandy Adsett
A leading Maori artist and gifted teacher, who plays a significant role in the wider art community and amongst Maori. He initiated and drove the development of the Toimairangi Art School within Te Wananga o Aoteoroa to teach contemporary Maori art.
John Baker
Lawyer and Rotarian in Havelock North, chairs the Hastings Rotary Pathways Trust. The Trust works with the similar Napier Rotary Pathways Trust and with councils and agencies to fund, build, extend and maintain the growing network of bicycle paths in Hawke’s Bay.
Joyce Barry*
Chair of The Landmarks Trust, which aims to create civic pride and community identity through quality in architecture, landscape, art in public places and history.
Wellesley Binding
Leading contemporary-style painter in HB. Lectures and coordinates media and visual communication courses at EIT.
Bruce Bissett*
Leftie columnist for Hawke’s Bay Today. Consistently annoys people who nevertheless can’t stop reading him.
Morry Black
Director of the Mauri Protection Agency. An expert on resource management policy, Morry is the “go to” advocate when Maori interests need to be represented in RMA matters. An accredited hearings commissioner, Morry also serves on the Maori Committee advising the Regional Council.
Dan Bloomer*
Dan established the Centre for Land and Water. Known for his work on irrigation efficiency, soil quality and best farm practice. Manages LandWISE; currently leading work on precision agriculture for sustainable cropping systems.
John Bostock – First Fifteen
President of J.M. Bostock Ltd. Grows and exports apples (largest organic apple grower in NZ), onions, squash, stock feeds. Owns Rush Munro ice cream. Company goal of 100% organic by 2016. Champions a GE-free NZ.
Alistair Bramley* – First Fifteen
General manager of Environment, Conservation and Outdoor Education Trust (ECOED). Experienced in outdoor education and adventure guiding, he first volunteered to help Department of Conservation staff recover kiwi eggs in the Kaweka Forest Park. Environmental rep on Regional Transport Committee.
Ross Bramwell
In the hot seat as Chair of the HB Rugby World Cup 2011 Committee. Former chair of HB Regional Council and chaired the McLean Park Trust.
Nicholas Buck*
Recently elected Chair of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers. A Director of family-owned Te Mata Estate Winery, heading sales and marketing.
Bruno Chambers
Chairs Te Mata Park Trust Board. Spearheading development of state-of-the-art visitor centre for the park. Farmer. Defender of Ocean Beach and the Tukituki.
Chris Collins*
Chief Executive of EIT since 2004. Has just won approval for the merger of EIT with Gisborne’s Tairawhiti Polytechnic. An officer of the Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship. Formerly Dean and General Manager of UCOL.
Rachel Cornwall*
Director of Red Consulting Group, recruiter of premium talent into Hawke’s Bay. On Board of Trustees of Havelock North Primary School. Initiated recent Peak Trail Blazer, a fundraising run for the school.
Garth Cowie*
CEO of Port of Napier since 1999, during which time cargo volume through the Port, lifeline for many HB growers and businesses, has increased over 50%. Formerly, CEO of South Port NZ.
Barbara Daniel*
President of the Keirunga Gardens Arts and Crafts Society, which operates the Arts Centre in Havelock North, ‘home away from home’ to many artisans and hobbyists in the community.
Rob Darroch*
CEO of Future Products Group (FPP), one of the Bay’s most successful global exporters. FPP fits out food outlets of every kind, from supermarkets to specialty restaurants and convenience stores … New World to McDonald’s to IKEA.
Murray Douglas
CEO, Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce. Small enterprise grower of figs, cherries, apricots, peaches and more. Chair of Opera Hawke’s Bay.
Rod Drury – First Fifteen
Founder and CEO, Xero, an accounting software developer. Prime mover behind Pacific Fibre, which will provide NZ a second undersea communications link to the rest of the world. Strong advocate of bringing high-speed broadband to the Bay. Twice NZ’s Tech Entrepreneur of the Year.
Dan Druzianic*
Principal in Markhams accounting firm and newly-appointed member of the HB District Health Board. A Director of HB Rugby Union.
Doug Ducker
Managing Director, Pan Pac Forest Products, the Bay’s largest private sector employer. VP of HB Chamber of Commerce Board. Member of the Japan New Zealand Business Council and currently Chairman of the Wood Council of New Zealand.
Marie Dunningham
As Secretary of Hastings & District Grey Power, serves as a frequent advocate on Council and DHB matters on behalf of 2500+ members. Started Grey Power’s weekly program on Radio Kidnappers.
Jason Fox*
Chairs the Hawke’s Bay Maori Business Network, an informal group of local Maori in business who came together in 2008.
Dick Frizzell*
Widely-acclaimed painter. Wine entrepreneur. Active supporter of WOW, working to save the Cape Coast.
Jenni Giblin*
Fundraiser extraordinaire for several of HB flagship edifices – Regional Sports Park, HB Museum & Art Gallery, HB Opera House, McLean Park, Waipawa Municipal Theatre.
Diana Giles & Greta Whan*
Run the Napier and Hastings food banks, respectively. With the help of committed volunteers and generous community contributions, they’ve managed to help feed thousands of the Bay’s hungry over the past year.
Ken Gilligan*
Chairman of Cranford Hospice Governance Board. A Director of Maritime NZ Authority. Ran the Port of Napier for seventeen years. Currently a director of City Medical Limited (Napier) and a trustee of the Napier Family Centre Financial Trust. Recent Director of Unison and nine years as chair of the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers Trust.
June Graham
Former member of Dept of Conservation’s East Coast HB Conservation Board. Active member of the BayWatch environmental team. Frequent submitter to Councils.
Claire Hague – First Fifteen
Deputy Chief Executive at EIT Hawke’s Bay. Former principal (and teacher) at Napier Girls’ High School. Awarded the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education. Has taught at Tamatea High School, Colenso High School (now William Colenso College) and Whangarei Girls’ High School.
Angela Hair
Member of Baywatch, HB’s environmental watchdog group. Frequent submitter and advocate of sustainability viewpoint before area councils. Ardent opponent of fluoride in Hastings drinking water.
Jan Hania*
HB Area Manager for the Department of Conservation. Key voice on Bay’s environmental issues and programmes.
Greg & Rachel Hart
Own and farm the 600 hectare Mangarara Station at Patangata on a sustainable basis, shifting to natural inputs designed to enrich their soil and wean their farm off chemical fertilisers. Substantial planting and fencing to prevent nutrient and erosion run-off.
Damon Harvey & Anna Lorck
Directors of Attn! Marketing, promoting numerous prominent Bay projects, events and organizations. Publish business magazine, Profit.
Donna Hedley*
Manages Alzheimers Society Hastings, dedicated to improving the services and help for people with Alzheimer’s conditions.
Debbie Hewitt*
Central Hawke’s Bay commercial asparagus grower. Chair of Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Stakeholder Group, which will help determine the viability of water harvesting in the Tukituki/Waipawa Rivers catchment. Board member of Horticulture NZ.
Peter Holley
Chief Executive of Mission Estate Winery, NZ’s oldest and one of the most sustainable wineries in the country. HB Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year in 2010.
Tama Huata
Executive Director of the national Waiata Maori Awards (Maori Music Awards), celebrated at the HB Opera House. Formed the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre forty years ago to create cultural, educational and employment opportunities for young Maori people in traditional performing arts. Named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Sandy Ibbotson
Started the all-volunteer Napier Community Patrol in 2006. Now consults with patrols in other Hawke’s Bay communities and represents the district at the national organisation.
Very Reverend Helen Jacobi
As Dean of Waiapu, leads the Napier Cathedral community. First woman to be appointed Dean of a Cathedral in New Zealand.
Shona Jones*
Chair, Board of Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga. HB Maori Business Network coordinator. Trustee of He Pataka Hauora Trust, sponsor of the recent Kai in the Bay Maori and Wild Food Festival. The Trust will be promoting diabetes awareness.
Ken Keyes*
Started Hawke’s Bay Youth Theatre in 2003, an on-going drama group for young people, now with 40 productions under its belt. Drama teacher for years at Havelock North HS. Ran annual National Drama School for high school students from throughout NZ.
Kerry Kitione*
As secretary of Napier Pilot City Trust, Kerry has organized dozens of Treaty of Waitangi workshops, giving hundreds of HB residents and leaders a deeper understanding of the Maori experience.
Caroline Lampp
Manager, DOVE HB, providing support and education programmes for women experiencing family violence and Stopping Violence programmes for men who have offended. Services are also offered to youth who have witnessed or been victims of family violence.
Douglas Lloyd Jenkins – First Fifteen
Directs the Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery. One of NZ’s most highly respected design writers. Just published The Dress Circle: New Zealand Fashion Design Since 1940. Face of TVNZ’s The Big Art Trip. His At Home: A Century of New Zealand Design won a Montana Book Award.
Darryl Lew*
Resource Management Group Manager, HB Regional Council. Responsible for resource consents, monitoring and compliance, and environmental science. HBRC’s key player on critical water issues.
Jane Libby*
General Manager of Food Hawke’s Bay, champions HB food and culinary excellence through programs like the Hospitality Awards, Regional Signature Dish, The Olive Festival, HB Farmers’ Market, HB Food Trail & Dining Guide, and representation at national & international food shows.
Andy Lowe*
Sponsor of the 2,400 hectare Cape Kidnappers Wildlife Reserve that plays host to a kiwi breeding and release program designed to save the endangered North Island Brown Kiwi, as well as other rare species such as pateke and robins.
Dr Kerryn Lum*
Physician. Former medical director of Cranford Hospice. Major voice in campaign that changed recent management and governance structure for this community institution.
David Mackersey
Managing Director at Mackersey Construction, a major commercial builder (e.g., Ahuriri’s Crown Hotel), developer and property manager in Hastings and Napier.
Anne & Paddy Maloney – Anne, First Fifteen
Environmentalists. Projects include protecting Ocean Beach, mentoring award-winning Waimarama Maori Trust, restoring Waimarama coastal dunes (for which Paddy’s Waimarama Coast Care group earned a HB Environment Award).
Nic Magdalinos*
Chair of Napier Inner City Marketing. Managing Director of Paris Magdalinos Architects and sits on the Board of Designgroup New Zealand, one of the country’s largest architectural companies.
Nicole Masters*
Soil agronomist and educator. Director of Integrity Soils. Evangelist for sustainable farming.
Paul McArdle* – First Fifteen
Founder of Bike On NZ, which promotes cycling in Hawke’s Bay and throughout NZ through a variety of nonprofit projects. His ‘Bikes in the School’ program, for example, provided St Mary’s School in Hastings with 62 new bikes, 225 helmets, a 550m cycle track and more.
Ray McKimm
Founder and managing director of Big Save Furniture, with stores throughout NZ. Moved headquarters to Napier and developed $30 million Ahuriri Business Park, including restoration of the historic National Tobacco Company Building.
Stuart McLaughlin
President of HB Chamber of Commerce. Partner at Langley Twigg law firm.
Ross McLeod*
Chief Executive of Hastings District Council since February 2008. Joined HDC from his position as Director of Corporate and Civic Services at Waitakere City Council, a position he held for seven years.
Matt & Georgina Miller*
Directors of Mogul, creators of many of the Bay’s highest profile biz and government websites, including EIT, Hastings Tourism, Pacific Fibre, Iona College, and of course BayBuzz.
Maree Mills
Directs Hastings City Art Gallery. Her own art practice reflects a Maori worldview; expert in video production and digital media.
Isabel Morgan
Longstanding chair of Forest & Bird in Napier. Ardent conservationist. A member of Keep Napier Beautiful and Ahuriri Protection Society. Trade Aid Shop volunteer.
Sam & Hannah Morrah*
CHB farmers who recently won Marks & Spencer ‘Future of Farming’ award. They supply premium quality Primera lambs off their Ohineumeri Trust farm outside Waipukurau, and the award recognises farmers and growers who are taking great steps to improve the sustainability of their business.
John Newland
Director or advisor to broad range of HB enterprises, including Marist Holdings and Stewart Financial Group. Chair of HB Power Consumers’ Trust. Chair of HB Helicopter Rescue Trust. Former CEO of Farmlands. Avid thespian and Patron of Theatre Hawke’s Bay.
Andrew Newman*
Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council since May 2006, returning to NZ after several years in the forestry industry in Australia.
Keith Newman*
Spokesman for Walking on Water (WOW), the Haumoana/Te Awanga community group working to protect the Cape Coast. Writer.
Graeme Norton – First Fifteen
Executive Director of 3R Group, perhaps the ‘greenest’ company in the Bay, given its focus of helping entire industries adopt sustainable business practices. Member of Executive Committee for NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development. Board member of HB Chamber of Commerce. Founder of the Product Stewardship Foundation.
Denis O’Reilly*
With a decades-long background in ‘street activism’ and community development, Denis works to rehabilitate gang members and combat P. His Waiohiki Trust runs a school, carving and craft centre.
Dennis Oliver
Led establishment of the volunteer Havelock North Community Patrol. Has been member of the Hastings Safer Community Council, foundation member of the Tiaki Tamariki Trust, Board Member of the Radio Kidnappers Charitable Trust. Ran the Napier/Hastings YMCA until his retirement.
Sam Orton
Chair of HB Wine Country Tourism Assn. With wife Mary, has operated Orton Catering in Hawke’s Bay for over 20 years. Sam received the Kim Crawford Wines Outstanding Hospitality Personality award in the 2009 HB Hospitality Awards.
Emily Otto*
Citizen activist on behalf of restoring Marineland. Recently launched FriendsofMarineland.org.nz.
John Palairet
Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Airport board. On Boards of Unison Networks, Anglican Care, the Te Aute Trust and Creative Hawke’s Bay. Has been a partner at Palairet Pearson accountancy and its antecedent firms in Napier for 33 years
Paul Paynter* – First Fifteen
Fifth-generation orchardist. Managing director of Johnny Appleseed, one of the Bay’s biggest producers of apples. Consistent advocate for protecting the productive soils of the Heretaunga Plains.
Adrienne Pierce*
Chair of Havelock North Business Association. Founder and director of SMART, a franchise that provides administrative services to small/medium businesses.
Liz (Andrews) Pennington*
CEO of Waiapu Anglican Social Services; heads up the team which oversees 44 different social services from early childhood centres to elder care, involving 500 staff and 500 volunteers in Hawke’s Bay, BOP and East Cape.
Antony Phillips*
Editor of Hawke’s Bay Today since early 2010.
Mereana Pitman*
Trainer and facilitator, cultural supervisor, advocate for children & young people who have witnessed family violence at DOVE, which offers a range of programs aimed at stopping domestic violence, providing support for women, monitoring of courts and Police.
Taine Randell*
Flaxmere’s former All Black captain, with 51 test appearances. Now giving back to his community as a Trustee of Henare O’Keefe’s U-Turn Trust, where he is helping reinvigorate the MAC Sport Club and its rugby team.
Des Ratima – First Fifteen
Chair of Ahuriri District Health Trust (post treaty settlement entity), Chair, Takitimu Maori Wardens Charitable Trust and Te Whanau Whakakotahi A Iwi Marae. Advocate for community development and environmental issues. Former chair of HDC’s Maori Committee. Past chair Te Aranga Marae, Te Mea of Whakatu.
David Renouf
Citizen watchdog on water quality, wastewater, and infrastructure issues before the Councils. Works on Tukituki clean-up issues via the HB Environmental Water Group with Bill Dodds, John Scott and Colin Crombie.
Raewynn Ricketts*
Chair of the Maraetotara Tree Trust, formed to protect and enhance the 35 kilometres of the Maraetotara River and its banks from the headwaters to the sea at Te Awanga. Member of the Kiwi Conservation Club and Forest and Bird. Received a Hastings Civic Honours Award in 2007.
Hugh Ritchie*
Farms 1,700 hectares in CHB with livestock and cropping. Board member of Irrigation NZ, Federated Farmers, and LandWISE. Member of HBRC’s Tukituki and Ruataniwha Plains stakeholders groups.
Sam Robinson* – First Fifteen
CHB sheep and beef cattle farmer. Chair of AgResearch. Chair of Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project – Leadership Group. Former Chair of Richmond Ltd. Past member of many community boards – e.g., Port of Napier, HB Regional Council.
Jim Scotland
Chairs the Port of Napier Board; member of HB Airport Board. Board Chair of 3R. Vice-Chair of HortResearch. Member of Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project – Leadership Group. Other directorships include Seeka Kiwifruit, The Crown Hotel, Ahuriri Waterfront Holdings.
Jacob Scott
Architectural designer and artist; principal of Scott Design. Pioneer in promotion and development of contemporary Māori art and Māori arts education. Founder and head of EIT’s Art and Design School. Led the establishment of the Maunga Kura Toi degree, NZ’s first degree level programme in Māori carving and weaving.
Joy Senior*
Diabetes nurse specialist for past 22 years. Recently awarded national-level Eli Lilly award for her patient-empowering approach to diabetes management at Wairoa Hospital.
Dr Kevin Snee*
Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Hospital since October 2009. Migrated from UK, where he had been chief executive of the National Health Service in Devon.
Leon Stallard*
Chairman, HB Fruitgrowers. Former BP corporate manager, enjoys life more as a grower of apples on twenty hectares on the Heretaunga Plains.
Colin Stone
CEO of Sport Hawke’s Bay, a charitable trust that develops sport in the region. On Boards of Sports Park Trust and Pettigrew-Green Arena.
Ken Sutherland*
CEO of Unison. Corporate sponsor of many community activities and facilities.
Amanda Sye*
Founder, No 9 Marketing & Design. Chair of Ahuriri Business Assn.
Kevin Tamati*
Chair for Korongata Marae and Ngati Poporo hapu. Referee coordinator for Hawke’s Bay Rugby League. Former rugby player and coach, inducted into the New Zealand Rugby League Legends of League.
Neil Taylor*
Chief Executive of Napier City Council since 1992. Worked for NCC a previous ten years. Owns the keys to the city.
Christine Teariki*
Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc Board member for Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga. In her third term on the iwi board, previously holding the position of Deputy Chair. Chairperson of Takitimu Performing Arts School Trust and Tautoko Wahine Maori Trust.
Dr Janet Tichener* – First Fifteen
Has run a DHB-supported primary care-based diabetes service for nearly five years. Recently awarded national-level Eli Lilly award for her pioneering patient-empowering approach to diabetes management. Associated with Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga.
Phyllis Tichinin – First Fifteen
Soil expert and biological farming advocate. Through BioAgNZ, advises farmers throughout Hawke’s Bay who want an alternative to chemical-based farming.
Ngahiwi Tomoana – First Fifteen
Chair, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi, having the third largest Iwi population. Also Chair, Te Ohu Kaimona, a statutory organisation dedicated to advancement of Maori interests in the marine environment. On Boards of Regional Sports Park and Hawke’s Bay DHB.
Geraldine Travers
Principal of Hasting Girls’ High School. Recipient of a National Award for Excellence in Leadership, which recognizes secondary school principals whose “leadership qualities inspire outstanding learning outcomes for children, and who set ambitious but achievable goals for their school”
Simon Tremain
Principal of Tremains Real Estate, a sponsor of many charitable and community-building efforts in the Bay, including the annual Corporate Triathlon and the Christmas Lights Festival. Accomplished charity auctioneer.
Claire Vogtherr – First Fifteen
Proprietor of Holly Bacon and entrepreneur. Education and small business advocate. Member, Ministry of Economic Development’s Small Business Advisory Group. Active with education programmes such as Secondary Futures and Education for Enterprise. On HB Chamber of Commerce Board. On the Board of Proprietors of Iona College, as well as the College Foundation.
Alayna Watene
General Manager of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, an iwi-based organisation that facilitates the social, cultural, economic and educational advancement of all Māori living in the Hastings area. Won HB Chamber’s Businessperson of the Year Award in 2008.
Martin Williams
Chair of the Napier City Pilot Trust. Lawyer representing area councils and HBDHB on consent issues. Involved with Napier neighbourhood preservation.
Jenny Yule
Founder and Managing Director of award-winning PORSE, which trains people to provide in-home care and education for children. Named most outstanding business woman of 2008 by publisher of Her Magazine for NZ businesswomen. In 2007, HB Chamber named PORSE supreme business of the year.
BayBuzz Legends
Kevin Atkinson
Community health advocate as Chair of District Health Board. Longtime Director and now Board Chair of Unison. Owns and directs business software company Information Management Systems Ltd (IMS), servicing over 10,000 companies nationwide. Patron of HB sport and Financial Director of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Board (IMS is corporate sponsor of the Magpies). Retired Deputy Chair of The Eastern and Central Community Trust. Serious badminton player.
Graeme Avery
Owner and CEO of Sileni Estates Winery. Nationally recognised for his contribution to health publishing, elite and developmental sport, and tourism in New Zealand. Instrumental in the establishment of the “Hawke’s Bay Wine Country” brand, Food Hawke’s Bay and the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market. Currently Chairman of the New Zealand Food & Wine Tourism Network.
Pat Benson
Director of Napier Computing Services and former junior All Black, finds time to coach Flaxmere’s MAC rugby team. Received a Spirit of Napier Award for his contributions to the city, including preservation and refurbishment of historic Art Deco buildings and his long-term support and commitment to sports groups and community projects around the Bay.
John Buck
Chairman of Te Mata Estate. With an OBE, recognised NZ-wide for his contribution to the wine industry. Chairman of the HB Opera House. Established NZ Poet Laureate program.
Sir Selwyn Cushing
Contributor to various HB civic activities. Involved with public companies for almost 50 years, with multiple director and board chairman positions to his credit — Rural Equities Ltd., New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Skellerup Holdings. Air New Zealand, and others.
Rodney Green
Napier businessman and philanthropist, operates the city’s Bluewater Hotel. He is a significant supporter of sport and recreation in the Bay, including the Pettigrew Green Arena, McLean Park and Centennial Hall.
Craig Hickson
Managing director of Progressive Meats Ltd. HB Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year in 2009. Runs a mixed 1,200 hectare sheep, deer and beef farm in Hawke’s Bay and is a director of the New Zealand Meat Board.
Graeme Lowe, QSM
Founder President and Managing Director of Lowe Corporation. Involved over forty years in meat processing, tanning, fellmongering and rendering. His predecessor company, Lowe Walker, became the largest privately owned NZ meat processing company. Has supported many community causes, including the rescue helicopter service, the HB Opera House, the HB Rugby Union, and the McLean Park’s Graeme Lowe Stand.
Pat Magill
Founder of Napier Pilot City Trust, based on the premise that Napier as a city is the ideal size to be a model for social experimentation. Influenced central government and Napier City policy on social services in the late 80s & early 90s, and in his ninth decade is still going strong. Sponsor of the Robson Collection on Justice Issues at Napier Library. He’s the nemesis of the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Brian Martin
Professional company director, business consultant and financial adviser. Former Chairman of Unison. Director of Wakefield Health Ltd and Mission Estate Winery. Spear-headed redevelopment of Royston Hospital. A sponsor of Hawkes basketball for many years.
John Paynter
Orchardist. Founder of Johnny Appleseed, one of the Bay’s biggest producers of apples. Awarded the NZ Order of Merit for service to horticulture. Consistent advocate of protecting the productive soils of the Heretaunga Plains. Unsuccessfully opposed the siting of the sports park; successfully challenged the proposed Northern Arterial Road.
Sir Russell Pettigrew
Founder of Freightways. Major Bay philanthropist, contributing to Pettigrew-Green Arena, McLean Park, HB Opera House, HB Rugby Union (former President of the NZ Rugby Union), and others. Initiated the Petane Domain in Bay View.
Neville Smith
Recently given the Spirit of Napier Award. Instrumental in getting the Art Deco focus established in Napier and has driven it passionately as a major sponsor (Brebner Print) of events over the years. NZ Navy’s honoree representative officer in HB; maintains Navy’s involvement in Art Deco Weekend. Has organised fundraising events for assisting children with sight impairment and for cancer treatment. Established a Scholarship for boys at NBHS.