Sir Paul Callaghan: Letter of support for nomination of Roger Kerr for royal honour

3/3/11

The Honours Secretariat
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

Dear Prime Minister

I write in support of the nomination of Roger Kerr for a New Zealand Honour. Roger is one of New Zealand’s outstanding economic thinkers, and a person who has rendered great service to his country through his work with Treasury, Foreign Affairs, The Prime Minister’s Office, and of course, in his later work as a company director, and as Executive Director of the Business Roundtable.

I make this recommendation even though I personally do not agree with much of Roger’s economic philosophy. But what I greatly admire and respect about Roger Kerr, professionally, is his scholarship, his keen intellect, his honesty and his dedication to New Zealand. On a personal level, he is a thoroughly decent and kind man and someone I like and trust. Most importantly Roger’s contribution has been to lift the standard of the national conversation about our economic future, avoiding cliché, shallow thinking and comfortable mythology. There is a robustness to his analysis, and a dedication to debating ideas rather than dealing in personalities or ideology, that is immensely important to our country. Roger lifts the standard of our thinking and the way in which we are able to debate important disagreements. In that sense he offers vital leadership.

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Roger’s outstanding courage, in the face of professional criticism, and in the most remarkable manner in which he is facing his current health challenge. It is at a time like this that one often sees the true mark of an individual. I-le displays the finest qualities of determination, optimism, and an ability to quickly grasp the details of a new situation, while bravely facing physical and mental difficulty.

In my view Roger Kerr is a truly great New Zealander, a towering intellect and thought leader, and a role model. He has my strongest support for recognition.

Yours sincerely

Sir Paul T Callaghan GNZM FRS FRZNS
Alan MacDiarmid Professor in Physical Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington

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

Mr Paul Baines – letter of support

Sir William Birch – letter of support

Mr Nicholas Calavrias – 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

Mr Roger Partridge – letter of support