Our first Lexus of North Shore Charity Long Lunch for 2021 is going to be one you won’t want to miss. The lunch series has undergone a few changes this year, with the move from four to TWO premium events held annually and the emphasis on a fantastic offering for our members and guests including top-line speakers and more opportunity to mix and mingle. The lunches are now on a Friday and while the formal side of the function will only be slightly longer, we will provide an additional opportunity for guests to stay, keep the bar open, enjoy extra experiences and time to network…. It is Friday after all! So, join us for our first Lexus of North Shore Charity Long Lunch for 2021.
Knights at a Round Table
Friday 14 May, 2021 | North Harbour Stadium
We are thrilled to announce we have three well known New Zealand Sirs joining us for our first Lexus of North Shore Lunch. These gentleman have received their knighthoods for a vast array of achievements and commitments to their individual fields. They lunch annually, and we can’t wait to share a special lunch with them!
Sir Peter Leitch aka ‘The Mad Butcher’
Although well known in New Zealand for the chain of butcheries he founded, Leitch is arguably just as well known for his charity and fundraising work, and his promotion of rugby league. He is the #19 Vodafone Warrior, with the number permanently retired in his honour, he has been the Kiwis' assistant manager, and today continues to have a strong relationship with many local and international players, past and present. Sir Peter has a biography ‘What a Ride Mate!’ and another two books on his Kiwis tours. He is a staunch advocate for the community and his charitable passions - even he does not know how much he has raised or personally given to charity but it certainly runs to millions of dollars. A Waiheke local, you will often spot him out kayaking with good friend Sir Graham Henry.
In the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours, Leitch was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and philanthropy.
Sir Graham Henry
Graham finished his All Blacks career as one of the most successful rugby coaches of all time. He coached the All Blacks to 88 wins in 103 Tests for a winning percentage of 85%. As well as winning the Rugby World Cup 2011, the All Blacks held the Bledisloe Cup every year since 2003, won the Investec Tri Nations five times and achieved three Grand Slams against the Northern Hemisphere Home Unions. In 2019, Graham was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame for his achievements. Earlier in his career Graham was in charge of the hugely successful Auckland team, which won four NPC titles in succession, and two Super 12 titles. In 2001, he became the first non-British or Irishman to coach the Lions on their tour of Australia. A previous teacher, Sir Graham was awarded an honorary Doctor of Education degree by University of Centerbury in his roles as coach, mentor and team leader.
In the 2012 New Years Honours, Henry was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.
Sir Ralph Norris
Former CEO of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Air New Zealand and ASB Bank – Ralph has certainly seen it all, and we are sure he has some thoughts on today's markets and the hurdles ahead for many of these big corporations. Sir Ralph Norris is the legendary executive who turned around three huge corporations; he is one of the most respected business leaders and in 2010 was named Executive of the Decade. Norris never expected to become a serial chief executive. With no tertiary education he is quoted as saying ‘If someone had told me on my first day of work that I would end up being a chief executive and would work on both sides of the Tasman, I would have thought someone was pulling my leg!’
In 2012 he was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Business by the University of New South Wales.
In 2009, Norris was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business, a redesignation of his Distinguished Companion Order of Merit received in 2006.
Tickets $150+gst per person or $1,500+gst for a table of 10
To book contact Kirsty McAlpine on events@northharbourclub.co.nz or 021 371 629
All proceeds go towards the AIMES Awards programme and rewarding excellence in our youth in the North Harbour region.
A huge thank you to our sponsor Lexus of North Shore, and long-time supporters Bob & Mark Jago for once again backing this ever-evolving series – their support of the Charity Lunch series is over 12 years, and we are thankful for their ongoing commitment.
