SIR HENRY VAN DER HEYDEN HONOURED ON HIS HOME TURF
Posted On: Wednesday, 01 June 2011
Fonterra chairman and farmer Sir Henry van der Heyden returned to his home turf, the Waikato, to receive an honorary fellowship from Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) last night.
“A Waikato dairy farmer through and through, Sir Henry has transcended many boundaries through his role as Fonterra chairman, becoming an extremely successful global businessman while still retaining his connection with New Zealand dairy farmers,” says Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers.
“Sir Henry was instrumental in setting up Fonterra and has chaired New Zealand’s largest company for nearly 10 years. A passionate advocate for the dairy industry and the vital role it plays in the New Zealand economy, Sir Henry’s natural affinity for business and agriculture has seen Fonterra go from strength to strength.”
Sir Henry’s achievements as chairman of Fonterra were recognised by the Queen in 2007 when he was awarded a knighthood for services to agriculture and recently Lincoln University awarded him an honorary doctorate - this is the first time he has been formerly honoured in the Waikato.
Sir Henry was made an Honorary Fellow of Wintec for his services to agriculture in the Waikato region and beyond at a special ceremony held at Wintec House in Hamilton.
The official ceremony was attended by Wintec staff and board members, regional mayors, members of parliament, past Wintec honorary award recipients, and representatives from the agriculture industry.
“Sir Henry van der Heyden has become a household name in New Zealand and we are proud that he is now part of the Wintec family,” says Wintec chair of council Gordon Chesterman.
“It’s extremely fitting to add Sir Henry van der Heyden to our elite list of fellowship recipients which includes the likes of Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir William Gallagher and Dame Te Atarangikaahu.”
Wintec’s honorary degrees or fellowships are usually conferred during Wintec’s graduation week earlier in the year, but due to Sir Henry’s business commitments, his ceremony was postponed until now.
During graduation week this year, Venetia Sherson – former editor of the Waikato Times – received an honorary Master of Arts for her contribution to journalism and media, and John Spencer – Chair of Tainui Group Holdings – was made a Fellow of Wintec for his business acumen.
Honorary recipients must have made a significant contribution to Wintec, the region or the nation over a number of years through scholarship and research, innovation in industry or business or enhancing New Zealand society.