Media Hall of Fame becomes ‘Wall of Fame’

Media Release
16 July 2008

Fairfax Media Hall of Fame becomes ‘Wall of Fame’ with
100 laureates now inducted

The Fairfax Media New Zealand Business Hall of Fame celebrates two significant milestones today as the hall moves from its virtual domain into the physical world.

Eight new laureates will be admitted tonight to complete the first 100 inductions of exceptional New Zealand business leaders to the Business Hall of Fame; and the Hall itself is moving beyond its virtual gallery to take up residence in the Owen G. Glenn Building at The University of Auckland Business School.

The 2008 Laureates are stock and station group magnate, Sir Roderick Weir, business entrepreneur Tony Falkenstein who also helped establish Onehunga High School as New Zealand’s first business secondary school, supermarket giant Hugh Perrett, and newspaper publisher, Alan Burnet.

Posthumous awards were also given to Lebanese trader Shariffe Coory, the fourth woman in the Fairfax Media New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, former All Black and Sharebroker, Ronald Jarden, dairy entrepreneur Joseph Nathan, and Sir George Fenwick, known for his social reform initiatives as much as he was his success in newspaper publishing.

Fairfax CEO Joan Withers celebrated the achievements of the 100 business icons by unveiling the twelve metre long wall at a ceremony attended by dignitaries and representatives from New Zealand’s business past, present and future.

Ms Withers said Fairfax was proud to partner Enterprise New Zealand Trust (ENZT) to ensure generations of business leaders were given the fitting recognition they deserve.

“Today is a celebration of 100 inspirational business leaders whose achievements will now be etched on these walls at The University of Auckland Business School where 30,000 student movements a day pass by and reflect on these role models.

“A portion of those who stop will be the business leaders of tomorrow, and we know that our business papers, magazines and online channels will be soon telling the stories of their journeys as they travel here.”

Peter Shirtcliffe, former Chairman of Telecom, Chair of the Business Hall of Fame Selection Panel, and himself a laureate, knows the importance of being a role model for the business community, as well as those who you work with.

“This holistic view largely means assessing achievements over the period of an individual’s lifetime, which is why half of the Laureates are inducted post-humously.

“The Selection Panel takes a holistic view of the nominees before appointing a laureate. There are two main criteria; first they must obviously be an exceptional business role model, but the second is they must have the bulk, if not all of their professional career behind them. This allows us to assess their full achievements, including what demonstrable contribution they’ve made to the community that supports them.”

Tony Caughey, Chairman of the ENZT and a Trustee on ENZT since 1992, adds that Fairfax Media New Zealand Business Hall of Fame is as much about inspiring the future as it is celebrating past success.

“These 100 Laureates provide inspiration to the future generations of young business students of what’s possible. It’s a worthy combination of both the old and new worlds of enterprise.

Mr Caughey said Fairfax Media’s involvement signals a new chapter for the Business Hall of Fame.

“With the first 100 Laureates selected, we’re now moving into the second phase of identifying those enterprising individuals who make up New Zealand’s business history.”

The official celebrations culminate in a Gala dinner in Auckland this evening where over 400 people will witness the new laureates admitted to the Fairfax Media New Zealand Business Hall of Fame by the Governor General.

ENDS

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