Nick Calavrias: Letter of support for nomination of Roger Kerr for royal honour

The Honours Secretariat
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Parliament Buildings Private Bag 18041
Wellington, 6160

3 March 2011

Dear Sir,

This letter is in support of a nomination for a New Zealand Royal Honour for Roger Kerr for his services to the country on economic policy.

I first met Roger in 1993 when as CEO of Steel & Tube Holdings, I became a member of the New Zealand Business Roundtable. I have worked closely with him since then and continue to do so to this day.

I quickly developed a huge respect for the work Roger does to lead economic policy debates in this country with the ultimate goal of a better New Zealand, for all New Zealanders.

Unfortunately Roger has on occasions become targeted by certain sections of the community (who would prefer to target the person than debate the topic) because of his unbending view of making sure that where there are soft options about to be taken, he has provided sound logical alternative research to allow proper public debate on that issue.

It is a measure of Roger’s standing in the international community that has attracted speakers of repute to New Zealand, which adds further credibility to public debate on topics such as education, global warming, economic growth & performance and fiscal policy.

I am not aware of all of Roger’s lifetime achievements recognitions and awards, however, some that come to mind are:

NZIER Qantas Economics Award, 2001.
Tasman Medal by the Melbourne-based Tasman Institute, 1994.
Charles Copeman Medal by the HR Nicholls Society for distinguished service in the cause of New Zealand and Australian workplace relations, 2005.

Roger is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management (FNZIM) and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Over the years he has also added significant value through his intellect and good business sense to a number of Boards and institutions such as:

New Zealand Treasury, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, Council of Victoria University of Wellington, Colonial Limited, Melbourne.

I am supported by many of my business colleagues when I say that Roger Kerr is an outstanding economist who has contributed more to the advancement of good economic policies in New Zealand than anyone before him.

I believe it appropriate that Roger be recognised in some tangible way by the Government and be awarded an appropriate Royal New Zealand Honour.

Yours faithfully

Nick Calavrias

Sir William Gallagher’s nomination of Roger Kerr for a royal honor

Mr Paul Baines – letter of support

Sir William Birch – letter of support

Sir Paul Callaghan – letter of support

Sir Roderick Deane – letter of support

Hon Rodney Hide – letter of support

Dr Murray Horn – letter of support

Mr Stephen Jennings – letter of support

Sir Ralph Norris – letter of support