The New Zealand Liberation Museum –Te Arawhata is sad to announce the passing of an early supporter of and donor to the Museum’s establishment, Peter Menzies. We pass on the words of our patron, Sir Don McKinnon, below.
I was very sad to hear that Peter Menzies had died though fighting an incurable illness at the age of 88.
I had known Peter since we were both in student politics in the early 1960s and watched his climb to establish Mainzeal, a leading NZ construction company in 1975 which he sold out from 20 years later.
When I first went to see him in 2015 seeking support for our Le Quesnoy project he did not take much convincing that it was a worthy project that he would support.
Donating over $500,000 over a few years and telling me I could publicise his giving made all the difference in getting the project moving and creating confidence to other early donors.
Another benefit was when he introduced us to Pierre Bourgeois, member of the Board of the Link Alliance delivering the City Rail Link, whose engineering and french background was most valuable to Te Arawhata’s refurbishment.
We send our sympathy to his many children, grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Don McKinnon
Patron