The North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust has welcomed Liz Blackwell as its new Patron. Liz takes over the role from Peter Menzies who has been as long-time supporter of the club and the AIMES Awards programme. Peter served as Patron of the club for 15 years.
“We are hugely grateful for the many years that Peter has supported the club and been our Patron,” acknowledged club President Phil Brosnan, when Peter Menzies announced his intention to stand down in the middle of the year. “Many would not be aware of his massive contribution to the club in many ways over a long period. A huge thanks to Peter on behalf of our members.”
Liz Blackwell and her husband Paul have enjoyed great success in business and are also well known for their support in the sport, community and not-for-profit sectors. They were owners of Pak’nSave Albany and The Breakers NBL Basketball franchise. They are now co-owners of Burger King, Starbucks, Hannah’s and Number 1 Shoes in New Zealand.
Liz is also a board member of the Well Foundation, the official charity of Waitemata DHB. Other entities that she has given her time and energy to have included Heart Kids, Starship Children’s Hospital, YES Disability and many more charitable organisations.
Liz and Paul Blackwell were inducted into the North Harbour Business Hall of Fame in 2016, recognising their contributions in both business and the community. The North Harbour Business Hall of Fame is administered by the North Harbour Club.
Liz accepts the honour to be patron with gratitude and a will to contribute significantly. Liz is already an active member of the Hall of Fame judging committee, but knows there is much more she can add.
Citing fellow North Harbour Club members as inspiration as she begins her tenure as club patron, Liz is serious about giving her all to the role. “I have always loved the North Harbour Club and what they do. I look at two people in particular – Hugh Stedman and Gary Monk – and I want to emulate them. The love they have for the Club has been instilled in me.”
Liz has already hit the ground running since accepting the role of Patron in August. She has attended her first Trust Board meeting and the ideas are already flowing for how she can assist the club. A key initiative identified is establishing a better link between our AIMES (Award) Winners Network and North Harbour Business Hall of Fame Network, establishing a bond between our up-and-coming excellence achievers, with those future mentors and supporters in our Hall of Fame Laureates. Liz, as Patron and as a Hall of Fame Laureate, is keen to play a key role with this initiative which will also extend to involving the club’s NeXt (younger) members in special events and functions.
“I’m so honoured to be invited to be the Club’s patron,” adds Liz Blackwell. “I felt quite overwhelmed at being asked. I take this role very seriously and I want to do the best I can do for them. I will commit 100%. Paul and I believe we are either hot or cold on anything we take on – we’re never lukewarm!”
For more information visit: www.northharbourclub.co.nz
New mid-year date for AIMES Award Gala Dinner
As has been the case for many events in late 2021, the North Harbour Club’s annual AIMES Awards Gala Dinner has fallen victim to Covid-19. The 2021 dinner has been rescheduled to May 2022, with the club making a decision that this mid-year period will also become a permanent time for the awards dinner – the club’s flagship event of the year.
The AIMES Awards Gala Dinner will be held on Friday May 6th 2022 at the Bruce Mason Centre. A special cocktail function announcing the AIMES Emerging Talent and Scholarship Awards will be held on the following Thursday (May 12th), with venue to be confirmed.
The AIMES Awards programme recognises excellence achieved by the young people of the region in the Arts, Innovation, Music, Education, Sport and Service to the Community. 2021 is the 26th year of these awards.
