4 March 2011
The Honours Unit
Cabinet Office
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Dear Sir
I am writing on behalf of colleagues of Roger Kerr who are nominating him for an honour in the Queen’s birthday list or, if we are too late for that, then the next New Year’s Honours list.
I have known Roger Kerr for more than 23 years. He encouraged and mentored me when I first became interested in economics. Roger was extremely generous with his time, thoughtful in his comments and a wonderful and encouraging teacher. He had a profound affect on me, I know that he has likewise helped many others.
Roger continues to assist me and, indeed, anyone who seeks assistance — in better understanding economics and public policy.
That’s the personal side of Roger’s contribution. His contribution to public policy in New Zealand is unmatched. An honour would be an appropriate recognition of his many years dedicated to an informed and rigorous debate on issues of public policy.
He has contributed to an extraordinarily wide range of public policy issues in his 25 years as the Executive Director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable, and before that in his senior role with the New Zealand Treasury. His contributions have informed National and Labour administrations, the business sector and the wider community.
One of his great contributions as Executive Director in the New Zealand Business Round Table was to encourage the business community to support policies from a national interest perspective, not from the narrower sectional interest of business. That alone has transformed and elevated the quality of public discussion and debate in New Zealand.
His insistence on only the highest quality analysis, and his ability to locate and employ the best minds internationally to contribute to the publications of the NZBR, has produced a large body of top quality public policy research. That focus on world class research is why the archives on the NZBR Website have become an invaluable resource for all those interested in public policy in New Zealand.
He was recognised by his peers in New Zealand in the award of the Qantas-NZIER prize in Economics and in Australian circles by the award of Charles Copeman Medal by the HR Nicholls Society as well as the Tasman Medal. He is a great New Zealander, widely respected by his peers internationally.
His contribution to public policy is profound. That contribution greatly benefits of all New Zealanders. He deserves national recognition as well.
Yours sincerely
Hon Rodney Hide
Leader, ACT Party
Related posts:
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
Mr Nicholas Calavrias – letter of support
Sir Roderick Deane – letter of support
Dr Murray Horn – letter of support
Mr Stephen Jennings – letter of support
Sir Ralph Norris – letter of support
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