New Zealand Official Yearbook 1997

New Zealand lies in the south-west Pacific Ocean and comprises two main and a number of smaller islands. Their combined area of 270,500 square kilometres is similar to the size of Japan or the British Isles.

The main North and South Islands are separated by Cook Strait, which at its narrowest point is 20 kilometres wide. They lie on an axis running from north-east to south-west, except for the low-lying Northland peninsula. The administrative boundaries of New Zealand extend from 33° to 53° south latitude, and from 160° east to 173° west longitude. In addition to the main and nearby islands, New Zealand also includes the following small inhabited outlying islands: the Chatham Islands, 850 kilometres east of Christchurch; Raoul Island in the Kermadec Group, 930 kilometres north-east of the Bay of Islands; and Campbell Island, 590 kilometres south of Stewart Island. New Zealand also has jurisdiction over the territories of Tokelau and the Ross Dependency, which are described in chapter 4.

New Zealand is more than 1,600 kilometres long and 450 kilometres wide at its widest part, and has a long coastline for its area. The coast is very indented in places, providing many natural harbours. The country is also very mountainous, with less than a quarter of the land fewer than 200 metres above sea level. In the North Island the main ranges run generally north-east to south-west, parallel to the coast, from East Cape to Cook Strait, with further ranges and four volcanic peaks to the north-west. The South Island is much more mountainous than the North Island. A massive mountain chain, the Southern Alps, runs almost the length of the island. There are many outlying ranges to the Southern Alps in the north, and the south-west of the South Island. There are at least 223 named peaks higher than 2,300 metres. There are also 360 glaciers in the Southern Alps. The largest are, on the east, the Tasman (length 29 km), Murchison (13 km), Mueller (13 km), Godley (13 km) and the Hooker (11 km), and, on the west, the Fox (15 km) and the Franz Josef (13 km).

New Zealand's rivers are mainly swift and difficult to navigate. They are important as sources of hydro-electric power and artificial lakes have been created as part of major hydro-electric schemes.

New Zealand is in an area of the world characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The ‘ring of fire’, as this area is known, forms a belt that surrounds the Pacific Ocean and is the surface expression of a series of boundaries between the plates that make up the earth's crust.

The boundary between the Indo-Australian plate and the Pacific plate runs through New Zealand, and the processes from their collisions have had a profound effect on New Zealand's size, shape and geology.

New Zealand is a long, narrow, mountainous country surrounded by a large expanse of ocean. The nearest major land mass is Australia some 1,600 kilometres to the west.

The climate of New Zealand is largely influenced by:

The day-to-day weather is mostly determined by a series of anticyclones and troughs of low pressure in the westerlies. Consequently New Zealand weather is changeable, typically with short periods of a few days of settled or unsettled weather. At times the westerly regime breaks down and there are cold southerly outbreaks (with snow in winter and sometimes spring), or northerly intrusions of warm, moist air when tropical depressions move southwards into New Zealand latitudes in the summer.

The main mountain chain which extends much of the length of the country is a major barrier to weather systems approaching from the west. Consequently there is a marked contrast between the climates of regions west and east of the mountains, and this is much greater than north-south climatic differences.

The surrounding ocean means that New Zealand largely has a ‘marine’ climate—except in Central Otago, which most nearly approaches a ‘continental’ climate (dry with hot summers and cold winters).

Many parts of the country are subject to extremes of wind and rain, occasionally giving rise to wind damage to buildings and forests, and flooding as depressions with their fronts pass close to or over the country. The rugged terrain is an important factor in the enhancement of the wind strength and/or rainfall.

Temperature extremes are mainly confined to places east of the main ranges. High temperatures usually occur in warm north-westerly wind conditions due to the so-called föhn effect. These high temperatures are often followed by sudden falls in temperature as a cold front moves up the east coast of both islands.

The islands of New Zealand separated from their nearest neighbours over 80 million years ago. Some of the original inhabitants endured times of turbulent change and violent upheaval, evolving and adapting to become part of a unique natural biota (or region). Other species died out (either nationally or regionally), unable to compete or survive environmental disturbances such as ice ages. For example, coconut palms were once found in New Zealand, and kauri, now confined to the north of the North Island, used to grow as far south as Canterbury. Over the years the earliest inhabitants were joined by other plants and animals carried across the oceans by wind and current.

This pre-human community was notable for the absence of snakes, land mammals (save three species of bat) and many of the flowering plant families. Whole orders and families are endemic (found only in New Zealand): tuatara, moa and kiwi, all of the native lizards, and all the native earthworms (nearly 200 species) to name just a few. Many remarkable plants, insects and birds evolved to fill the ecological niches normally occupied by mammals. Others diversified to fill the new territories created by sea-level fluctuations and land uplift. With no mammalian predators on the ground but avian predators everywhere, flightlessness was not a handicap nor was greater size. Moa (11 species, some up to 3 metres tall) became extinct in pre-European times, but many other large flightless birds still remain including kiwi, the nocturnal kakapo (the only flightless parrot in the world), and weka (of the rail family). Flightless insects are numerous including many large beetles and 70 or so endemic species of the cricket-like weta.

New Zealand has the most diverse seabird fauna of any country (87 species). Almost half of all the native bird species depend on the ocean for food—the feeding zones of some extending as far south as the Antarctic continent. The extensive coastline and many islands offer a huge variety of habitat, from estuary and mud-flat to rocky cliffs and boulder bank. The ocean itself is marvellously rich—there are about 400 different marine fish resident in the waters around New Zealand as well as various species of seal, dolphins and porpoises. Thirty-two species of whale have been recorded and three of the largest (sperm, humpback and right) regularly migrate here in spring and autumn.

The most widespread and complex type of forest in New Zealand is a podocarp (conifer) broadleaf association. It is generally found at lower altitude and is characterised by the variety of species, a stratified canopy and an abundance of vines and epiphytic plants. Beech and kauri forests, in contrast, are much simpler in structure. New Zealand's beech species have close relatives in Australia and South America and the five different taxa here have exploited habitats from valley floor to mountain tops. Kauri, true forest giants, dominate only in the warmer climes to the north.

Some of the most specialised of plants are those occupying the alpine zone. A remarkable 25 percent of all New Zealand's plants can be found above the treeline. Ninety-three percent of all the alpine plants are endemic (compared with 80 percent for the rest of the higher plants). Snow tussock herb-fields are one of the most distinctive elements in this cold, windswept environment. Remarkably long-lived, larger specimens may be several centuries old. Like beech trees they seed infrequently but in profusion.

A definitive feature of New Zealand's land-based plants and animals is their degree of specialisation and narrow habitat requirements (eg takahe/tussock grasslands; blue duck/fast flowing rivers and streams), and their evolution in the absence of mammalian predators (birds) or browsers (plants). This specialisation, and the adaptations which make New Zealand's wildlife so unique, render them extremely vulnerable to introduced predators (such as rats and cats) and competitors (such as deer and possums) and loss of habitat.

One uniform time is kept throughout mainland New Zealand. This is the time 12 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and is named New Zealand Standard Time (NZST). It is an atomic standard maintained by the Measurement Standards Laboratory, a part of the Crown Research Institute, Industrial Research Limited. One hour of daylight saving, named New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT), which is 13 hours ahead of UTC, is observed from 2 am (NZST) on the first Sunday in October, until 2 am (NZST) on the third Sunday in March. Time kept in the Chatham Islands is 45 minutes ahead of that kept in New Zealand.

January. Auckland's Opera in the Park featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra attracts a crowd of 300,000. New Zealand welcomes the announced end to French nuclear testing in the Pacific. All five passengers aboard a Sounds Air Cessna die when it crashes near Picton. A replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour visits New Zealand harbours.

February. While official Waitangi Day celebrations are held at Government House in Wellington, 400 protestors clash with police at Waitangi. New Zealand's international credit rating is upgraded by Standard and Poors' from AA to AA+. Sky Television and the New Zealand Rugby Football Union announce a deal which ends live free-to-air test rugby broadcasts. New Zealand's second casino, the Sky City Casino, opens in Auckland. Auckland band OMC's song How Bizarre reaches number one in the Australian music charts.

March. Following a series of car fires possibly linked to new unleaded petrol, oil companies are ordered by the Government to reduce levels of aromatics in the new fuel. A world-first gene treatment operation is performed on two American toddlers at Auckland Hospital. Former Court of Appeal judge, Sir Michael Hardie Boys, is sworn in as Governor-General.

April. White-spotted tussock moths, a potential threat to New Zealand forestry, are discovered in Kohimarama, Auckland. The fatal shooting of Flaxmere community constable Glenn McKibbin sparks a six-week hunt for his suspected killer. New Zealander Jason Winter among the 35 killed at Port Arthur, Tasmania, in Australia's worst massacre. Michael Laws, New Zealand First MP for Hawke's Bay resigns; to avoid a by-election, the Government sets an earlier than usual date for the 1996 general election.

May. A quarantine is set up in Auckland suburb Mt Roskill after the discovery of breeding Mediterranean fruit flies. New Zealand's thirteenth National Park, Kahurangi, is opened in northwest Nelson. In a world-first operation at Auckland's North Shore Hospital, two people receive transplants of insulin-producing pig cells. After refusing to leave a fellow climber, veteran mountaineer Rob Hall dies near the summit of Mt Everest. The Auckland Blues beat the Natal Sharks 45-21 to win the Super 12 rugby series. Choi Seung-Jin, former vice-consul of the Korean Embassy in Wellington, is deported to South Korea to face charges of leaking sensitive documents to the opposition party. Minister of Conservation Dennis Marshall resigns, 13 months after a Department of Conservation viewing platform collapsed at Cave Creek killing 14.

June. Queen's Birthday honours are the first under a new New Zealand-based honours system. The eruption of Mount Ruapehu disrupts the start of the ski season. The man accused of shooting Constable McKibbin in April is shot dead by police after being confronted in a Havelock North orchard. New Zealand singer/ songwriter Neil Finn announces that Crowded House are to split up. The keel for New Zealand's second Anzac class frigate, HMNZS Te Mana, is laid at Williamstown, near Melbourne. Māori are granted the right of appeal to the Privy Council over their fisheries. The Waitangi Tribunal announces its finding on last century's Taranaki land confiscations and recommends the Government make generous reparations.

July. To celebrate a record profit, New Zealand Post declares 1 July a free postage day for all medium-sized letters with handwritten addresses. Auckland band OMC's song How Bizarre goes to number one in the Canadian and Irish music charts, and number five in the United Kingdom's. Swimmer Danyon Loader and equestrian Blyth Tait win gold medals at Atlanta's Olympic Games. The All Blacks win the Bledisloe Cup and the inaugural professional tri-series against Australia and South Africa. The New Zealand softball team beats Canada in the United States to win the world series. Lorraine and Aaron Cohen arrive home after 11 years imprisoned in Malaysia for drug trafficking offences. Publicist Michelle Boag quits the TVNZ Board and stands down from the National Party's communications committee after misleading the wine box inquiry. The Crown is ordered to pay $328 million to Equiticorp's statutory managers; the Crown announces it will appeal. First legal sports betting (on a Bledisloe Cup rugby match) at the TAB.

August. Forestry Corp is sold to consortium partners Brierley Investments Limited and Chinese-owned Citifor for $2 billion, the sale including cutting rights to Kaiangaroa State Forest. New Zealand's 34-member team at the Atlanta Paralympics win a record nine gold medals. The Government stops a proposed cull of the Kaimanawa wild horses. The Māori Reserve Land Amendment Bill is introduced to Parliament. Secondary school teachers settle a nine-month-old pay dispute.

September. The 14th Dalai Lama visits New Zealand and meets the Prime Minister despite protests from the Chinese Government. Hamilton- based Kiwi Air, set up to provide cheap flights to Australia, goes into voluntary liquidation leaving 3,000 travellers stranded. Shayne King from Taranaki wins the world 500cc motorcross title. The All Blacks win a historic first test series against the Springboks in South Africa.

October. New Zealand's first election under MMP is held giving National 44 seats, Labour 37, New Zealand First 17, the Alliance 13, Act 8, and United 1. A $170 million settlement for the Ngai Tahu land claim is proposed. A $40 million settlement is reached on the Whakatohea claim. A spraying programme, using a low-flying DC6 aircraft, begins in Auckland in an attempt to eradicate the white-spotted tussock moth. Centenary of the first public screening of motion pictures in New Zealand.

November. Michael Jackson plays two concerts to sell-out crowds in Auckland. A Palmerston North detective is arrested after staging a ‘satanic’ attack on himself the previous month. New Zealand's first Anzac class frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, visits Auckland before beginning sea trials. Crowded House gives a farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House to an audience of 80,000.

December. New Zealand's first government under MMP is formed following the announcement of a coalition deal between New Zealand First and the National Party. Murder of Sheryl Thayer, a New Zealand nurse working with the Red Cross in Chechnya. Privy Council hears appeal by three iwi groups against fisheries settlement assets allocation. Thousands of holiday-makers in Northland and the Bay of Plenty have their plans disrupted when a deep depression, previously known as Cyclone Fergus, passes over New Zealand. Associated high winds and rain, coinciding with high tides, cause extensive coastal flooding.

A selection of New Zealand events since the first New Zealand Official Yearbook was published in 1893.

Chronologies have been included in the Yearbook since 1898, and up to about World War I were very detailed for the early years of New Zealand's history.

The Yearbooks also carried extensive lists of books published in New Zealand.

Neil Barr (b. 1908), founder of the organised farm-forestry movement in New Zealand, pioneer and honorary member of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, became interested in forestry on his family farm at a time when little was known about it. Through a desire to share experiences he set up a local farm-forestry group in 1950 which subsequently grew into the NZ Farm Forestry Association. Known as a real “people person” and excellent communicator, he spent many voluntary hours promoting agroforestry at conferences, field days and meetings throughout the country, and wrote a regular column (affectionately known as “the word”) in the NZ Farmer for 25 years.

Adam Begg (b. 1931), became the youngest member of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board when, at the age of 37, he was appointed as a government representative in 1969. He served on the board until 1987, as chairman from 1980. Begg was also a member of the Nordmeyer Commission of Inquiry into the meat industry (1974), chaired the Meat Industry Task Force in 1983 and was active in Federated Farmers. He also gave lifelong service to his South Otago community and the Presbyterian Church.

Manuera Benjamin Couch (b. 1925) (Ngai Tahu) was a controversial Minister of Māori Affairs (1978-84), Minister of Police (1980-84) and Postmaster-General (1978-80) who served three terms as National MP for Wairarapa before being defeated in the 1984 Labour landslide. His first speech, in which he said he was a New Zealander first and Māori second, drew scathing criticism. Controversy continued when, in 1981, he defended sporting contact with South Africa as being one of the best ways to help the republic's black people, and supported the return of the birch for criminals. A former builder, shearing contractor and All Black (1947-49), he later served on the NZRFU and, after 1984, spent two years as a Mormon missionary in the Cook Islands.

Taelomu Louisa Crawley (b. 1935) came to New Zealand from Western Samoa on a scholarship to New Plymouth Girls High School. She trained as a teacher and then after a few years in Samoa and Australia settled into life in Christchurch where she was a Christchurch Polytechnic tutor and became a city councillor. Louisa was a foundation member and president of PACIFICA, and active for many years in the New Zealand Labour Party. After moving to Wellington to become deputy director of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, she contributed hugely to Samoan and Pacific Island organisations, and to access radio.

Barry Crump (b. 1935), the original “good keen man” of New Zealand folklore, gained national prominence in 1960 with the publication of A Good Keen Man. It is still in print and has sold 300,000 copies. His life experience as deer culler, pig and possum hunter and adventurer provided the raw material for more than 20 books with total NZ sales topping 1 million (overseas reaching 300,000). A raconteur and actor with humour and common touch, his TV ads for a ute made him popular with a new generation. Barry Crump was always on the move, both in terms of place and in his personal life. He had six wives/partners and fathered nine sons.

Denis Dowling (b. 1910) A distinguished international baritone little known in his own country because he never returned to sing here, Dowling was from Ranfurly, Central Otago, and trained locally. At 20 he was broadcasting and in 1934 won the Melbourne Sun Aria contest which took him to the Royal College of Music in London. His international debut was in Der Rosenkavalier with Sadler's Wells Opera in 1939. War service saw him take part in D Day landings and the liberation of Belsen. In 1948 he rejoined Sadler's Wells, later the English National Opera, singing over 100 roles until retirement in 1984. He was known for his 20th century opera work, and clear diction.

Don Goodfellow (b. 1931), secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen during a period of much industrial turbulence, was respected for his shrewdness, negotiating skills and one-liners, and infamous for his “get knotted” statements during disputes. Goodfellow started in Tauranga as a railway travel assistant in 1956 and quickly became the union's branch secretary. From 1962 to 1974 he was Wellington branch secretary, becoming national secretary in 1977 when membership was around 12,500. At his retirement in 1989, industry restructuring and new technology had forced membership down to about 4,500.

Rob Hall (b. 1960) died on the descent from the summit of Mt Everest, supporting a client. Stranded by a blizzard, he communicated his condition by telephone to base camp and this was relayed by satellite to his pregnant wife in Christchurch. Highly regarded in climbing circles and one of New Zealand's most experienced expedition organisers, Hall had joined his first Himalayan expedition at 19. He reached the top of Everest five times, once with his wife. K2 was conquered in 1994, the first time by a New Zealander. Together with colleague Gary Ball, he set a record in 1990 by scaling the highest summit on each of the seven continents in seven months.

Noel Hilliard (b. 1929) From a Depression childhood spent in railways labour camps Noel Hilliard went on to Victoria University and worked as a journalist with the Southern Cross newspaper. The years 1950-52 were spent in Pukeora Sanatorium with tuberculosis. He became a teacher and in 1960 published his semi-autobiographical novel Māori Girl, the first to deal frankly with modern Māori-Pakeha relations. It became one of the most widely-read novels in New Zealand, selling 35,000 copies, and was translated into Russian and Chinese. He wrote three further novels, a short novel and short stories. Hilliard was chief sub-editor of the New Zealand Listener from 1965 to 1970 and Robert Burns Fellow in 1971.

Robert Holden (b. 1958), one of New Zealand's finest racing motorcyclists, was known for his speed and versatility. He was killed during a practice for the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. Holden began racing at the Victoria University Motorcycle Club in 1975 and went on to win the first of eight national championships, the 125cc title, in 1978. In 1995 he won the Singles TT on the Isle of Man, the Chimay International Superbike race in Belgium, the Ulster Grand Prix and the North West 200 Singles and Superbike races also in Northern Ireland, and the New Zealand Senior TT. Known for his openness and willingness to help new riders, he was given a Motorcycling New Zealand merit award in 1995.

Rochford Hughes (b. 1914) joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937, and the RAF (as a pilot officer) in 1938. He served with distinction in World War II and later held peacetime commands in Britain, Europe, and in Singapore as commander of the British Far East Air Force. After retiring as an Air Marshal he served as commissioner of the Northland Harbour Board (1973), and was an advisor to Justice Mahon in the investigation following the 1979 Mt Erebus plane crash.

Robert Hurst (b. 1915) was an outstanding scientist, educated at Nelson College, Canterbury University College and Cambridge University. In the UK during World War II he worked on bomb disposal research and was awarded the George Medal for helping defuse the first unexploded flying bomb to land in the UK, in 1944. From 1948 he worked on atomic energy research and development at Harwell and Doun-reay, and in 1963 became research director at the British Ship Research Association, where he worked on computer-aided design in shipbuilding and automation of ship operations.

Robin Irvine (b. 1929) became in 1973 the first Dunedin-born vice-chancellor of Otago University. A 1953 medical graduate, he was awarded a number of fellowships which eventually brought him back to the department of medicine at the Otago Medical School where he became dean in 1969. As vice-chancellor until 1993 he presided over two decades of major change, including ensuring the survival of the medical school in its current form. He was also keenly interested in Antarctic research.

Richard McDonald (b. 1931), Director of the Cook Islands Office of Audit and Inquiries (1983-87), was the first to speak out on fraudulent aspects of the tax haven there. He lost his job as a result. At the time of his death he was in voluntary exile in Queensland after defying the Cook Islands Government by giving evidence in the ‘winebox enquiry’. He faced imprisonment should he return to the Cooks. From 1968-70 he was senior lecturer in Business Administration at Victoria University. He was known to be a man who stood up for what he believed in.

Joan McKenzie (b. 1918) was the first woman to head a New Zealand co-educational secondary school, Mana College in Porirua. She had started there as senior mistress when the school opened in 1957, returning 10 years later as principal, a position she held until 1975. Her 40-year career in education included primary and secondary teaching, a period as school inspector, and membership of the Wellington Teachers' College Council. She was known as a firm but fair disciplinarian with a keen sense of humour.

Jack Newman (b. 1902) took an infectious pride in the achievements of the family transport business, founded in 1879 with a mail and passenger service from Foxhill to Murchison. Becoming managing director in 1935 he pioneered the expansion of the coach tour business immediately post-war, later adding rental cars, camper vans and turbo prop airliners in Newman Air. He later developed the company into TNL Group Ltd. He represented New Zealand on a number of international travel organisations, played cricket for New Zealand 1931-33, and was a life member of the NZ Cricket Council.

Dulcie Nicholls (later Gallagher) (b. 1908) dominated New Zealand women's tennis from her first senior national singles title win in 1929 to her retirement in 1938. In that time she won the national singles title five times, the women's doubles twice and the mixed doubles three times. Her powerful ground strokes, at a time in women's tennis when the emphasis was on placement, made her a feared opponent. The family, originally from Greytown, had an illustrious sporting pedigree; three of Dulcie Nicholls' brothers were All Blacks. She shares with them the honour of a plaque in the Jackson Street, Petone, Walk of Champions.

Thelma Pitt-Turner (b. 1903) set a record in 1984 when, at 81 years old, she became the oldest woman in the world to run a marathon finishing the Hastings Countrywide Bank marathon in 7h 58min. She had previously won a bronze medal in the 1981 World Veteran Road Race championships and set three national age group running records at the 1984 National Veteran Track and Field Championships. On her running retirement she took up weightlifting to strengthen her arms. Earlier in her life, in 1922, she competed in the first Annette Kellerman Ocean Cup race in Wellington harbour and helped form the first women's surf lifesaving team at Lyall Bay in 1920. She was a former Russian ballet mistress and adagio dancer.

Athol Rafter (b. 1913) was sent overseas in 1948 by the NZ Government to learn how nuclear technology could benefit this country. In the early 1950s he set up the first radiocarbon dating facility in the southern hemisphere at Gracefield, using equipment produced in the DSIR workshop. He was the first scientist to detect increased concentrations of radiocarbon in the southern hemisphere atmosphere and sea water as a result of nuclear testing. His atmospheric studies provided information on the build-up of greenhouse gases. He worked with archeologists on radiocarbon dating and with soil scientists on understanding the fixation of atmospheric carbon in soils. Dr Rafter promoted new radioisotopes to the medical profession for the treatment of blood and thyroid cancers, leading to the establishment of hospital nuclear medicine departments.

Eve Rimmer (b. 1937) won more than 30 medals as a paraplegic athlete after a car accident in 1952 when she was 15. In 1968 at the Paraplegic Olympics in Tel Aviv she won a gold medal, two silvers and a bronze, and subsequently competed in five more Paralympics. Eve was the only paraplegic athlete inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. She also wrote a best-seller, No Grass Between My Toes, was sought after as a public speaker, and lectured to medical students on the sex life of paraplegics. She was a straight talker who wrote in her book and spoke publicly about the frustrations of paraplegia.

Violet Robb (nee Walrond) (b. 1910), champion swimmer, was New Zealand's first woman Olympian, in a team of four who represented New Zealand in 1920 in Antwerp (our first time as a separate Olympic nation). Every New Zealand team member made their finals. Violet was only 15 and the swimming pool was a World War I defence canal. On the way home she won a gold medal in a five-mile championship swum down the Thames. At 17, after winning the 100m in the Australian championships, her father decided it was time for her to retire.

Hugh Sew Hoy (b. 1901), doyen of the Dunedin Chinese community and grandson of Chinese New Zealand pioneer Choie (Charles) Sew Hoy, continued the small business empire his grandfather founded, expanding from importing into sausage making, clothing manufacture, haberdashery and furniture. At its peak the business employed more than 600 staff and was one of the first to develop markets using the New Zealand-Australia Free Trade Agreement, exporting to retailers such as Coles, Myers and Target. After an initial stay (1920-22) Hugh Sew Hoy returned to Canton for 16 years. In 1938 he settled in Dunedin permanently but because of the Japanese invasion of China his wife and six children were able to join him only in 1947. He acted as translator and interpreter for others in the Chinese community and was the first Chinese New Zealander to receive an OBE.

John Spencer (b. 1931), celebrated yacht designer and former Auckland architectural draughtsman, created the international cherub and javelin classes of dinghies in the 1950s. A self-taught boat builder and designer, he started in a Devonport yard, moving later to Browns Bay and Russell. Spencer's designs ranged from runabouts to ocean-going race yachts emphasising narrow-beam, light displacement designs. In larger yachts he used glassfibre as a skin over ply—most famously in the yacht Infidel, which won the Transpac race from California to Hawaii. His boats were known for being quick and having a high standard of finish and seaworthiness.

David Tudhope (b. 1921) chaired the Shell BP Todd consortium when it found the Maui gasfield in 1969 and helped steer the project for a decade until it reached commercial production. During his 32-year career at Shell he was also very involved in the expansion of Marsden Point oil refinery and the introduction of carless days after the second oil shock. A Cambridge-trained lawyer, Tudhope had been in the RNZAF's Bomber Command Pathfinder Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar in 1944. Retiring in 1981 after 14 years as managing director of Shell Oil New Zealand, he chaired National Mutual and the National Bank.

Charlie Tumahai (b. 1949, d. 1995) was a musician, composer and singer best known as lead singer of the popular NZ Pacific-reggae band, Herbs. He began playing in hotels in Tahiti when his Ngati Whatua mother and all 11 children went there with their Tahitian father in 1968. He moved on to the Sydney cabaret circuit and in the late 1960s with the rock band Healing Force recorded Golden Miles, now an Australian classic. He went to the UK with a group which folded but joined Be-Bop Deluxe as bass, recording four albums and a top-10 single. Returning to New Zealand in 1985 he joined Herbs as lead singer, song writer and music arranger. In recent times he was a Ngati Whatua court volunteer for young defendants and their families, and was developing an arts programme for prison inmates.

Piet van Asch (b. 1911), born on a farm near Havelock North, was the pioneer of aerial mapping in New Zealand. During the lean years of the Depression he developed his photographic, mapping and flying skills. In London, with earnings from mapping work undertaken there, he bought a Monospars aircraft with which aerial mapping began in 1937 in the South Island. This eventually covered the whole country and out into the Pacific, with close support from the Air Force. Vague survey maps were turned into modern cadastrals and his photographs played vital roles from archaeology, earth sciences, town planning and in search and rescue.

Terry Vaughan (b. 1915) had a theatrical and musical career most closely associated with the legendary Kiwi Concert Party of World War II. It performed in often appalling conditions, from cold such that the servicemen audience deserted, to stinging sandstorms. Immediately post-war the Concert Party toured in Australia for six years with Vaughan as musical director, arranger, designer and comedian. He had studied music at Canterbury University College and the Royal Academy in London in the 1930s, and later serious music compositions won national competitions and were performed. In 1955 he joined JC Williamson Theatres in Australia as casting and musical director and in 1965 became director of the first large-scale arts complex in Australia, the Canberra Theatre Centre.

Te Waari Kahukura (Ward) Whaitiri (b. 1912) was born in the Chatham Islands of a Ngati Mutunga mother and Ngai Tahu father and went to sea at 11 (saying he was 13). He rose to the position of Master Mariner, commanding coastal traders around the New Zealand coast for the Anchor and then Union companies. During World War II he was in convoys on the dangerous route from Britain to Murmansk. In 1975 containerisation led to redundancy, shore life and work with the Māori Affairs Department, supporting Māori and Pacific Island youth who appeared in court. Ward regained his boyhood fluency in te reo Māori, was active in the Pensioners and Beneficiaries Association, and also appeared in a number of films and in the opera Waituhi in 1984.