Members of two of New Zealand’s most successful family firms have received knighthoods in the New Year 2025 Honours List.
Gallagher Group director John Gallagher and Auckland property developer Ted Manson are among more than two dozen businesspeople to be recognised in the latest round of royal honours.
Both Sir John and Sir Ted are well-known for their extensive philanthropy and involvement in community organisations, as well as their business nous. They have been recognised along with other prominent New Zealanders, such as golfer Lydia Ko, KidsCan founder Julie Chapman, former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, former rugby administrator John Hart, singer Suzanne Prentice, and filmmaker Robin Scholes.
In total, 190 Kiwis received recognition in the list.
William and John Gallagher were inducted into the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 2020.
John Gallagher
For Sir John, a knighthood is the latest of many honours the 85-year-old has already received. It is also nothing new for the Gallagher family.
His brother, Sir William Gallagher, was knighted in 2011 for services to business, while his father, Bill Gallagher snr, was appointed an MBE in 1990.
The family is Waikato royalty, and there has hardly been a notable community organisation in Hamilton that Sir John has not been involved in. He has also served on the local city council, regional council, and the council of the University of Waikato.
“I already get called ‘sir’ occasionally,” he told NBR.
The story of how his family’s business grew from a 10-person operation to a global leader in the animal management, security, and fuel industries has already become the stuff of business legend. It was documented in detail by Paul Goldsmith, now a National Cabinet Minister, in a book published in 2013, Legend: The Sir William Gallagher Story.
“William and I were very close,” said Sir John. “I’m a practical engineer, a fitter and turner, and my brother was a more theoretical engineer, and we work very well together, growing the business and stuff like that.”
Sir John left his day-to-day role in the business in 1987 but remains on the board of directors. “I already have an alternate director with my son, so when I fall off the perch, or can’t make it any longer, he’s it.”
He is delighted the family dynasty looks set to continue, with two grandsons now working in the business as well. “That’s important if we can have that, because I’m quite keen to see it remain a family business.”
Property developer Sir Ted Manson spends most of his time on charitable work these days.
Ted Manson
Auckland-based property company Mansons TCLM also looks set to remain in the family. Although it wasn’t founded until 2006, it had its origins in a business Sir Ted founded with his father Colin in the mid-70s.
The business has grown to become New Zealand’s largest privately owned property developer, and is now largely run by his sons Culum, Luke, and Mac — hence the initials in the company’s name. Several grandchildren are also being groomed for future roles.
Sir Ted, who grew up in a State house, told NBR his wife was still coming to terms with the honour. Although both his parents had died long ago, they would also have found it difficult to believe, he said.
“Dad is the one who pushed me to win no matter what and gave me the strength to be the best … Mum is the person who loved me and nurtured me and taught me kindness and is therefore the parent who would be most proud of me, so I dedicate this knighthood to her.”
Sir Ted has made no secret of the fact that his attitude to success radically changed about 15 years ago.
“I’ve been in business for 50 years now, and for the first 35 years it was all about winning and being the best property developer I could. I thought: ‘If I can come from a State house, anyone can.’ As I got older and saw how others were brought up and how they lived, I realised I was wrong. This is when I knew I had to give back to those who really needed help.”
Since then he has spent most of his time on charitable work, with an emphasis on improving housing quality and education outcomes for disadvantaged communities.
“I’ll keep an eye on the business for many years yet, but if I want to do anything else, I can.”
Dr Keith Turner.
Others recognised
As well as the two new knights, many other businesspeople have been recognised in the honours list.
Those already well-known to NBR readers include electricity industry veteran Keith Turner, who has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM).
My Food Bag founders Carlos Bagrie and Nadia Lim, Sudima Hotels founder Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, property guru Olly Newland, fashion designer Kate Sylvester, and economist Bryce Wilkinson have all been made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
Institute of Directors CEO Kirsten Patterson has also been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
Others with links to business include:
- Emeritus Professor Jill Hooks, for services to accountancy and education (CNZM)
- Alan Smythe, for services to the community and philanthropy (CNZM)
- Robin Campbell, for services to farming and governance (ONZM)
- Merv Solly, for services to the transport industry and business (ONZM)
- Bronwyn Groot, for services to fraud prevention awareness (MNZM)
- Noel Harris, for services to the thoroughbred racing industry (MNZM)
- Marian Johnson, for services to technology and business (MNZM)
- Adele Mason, for services to New Zealand-Asia relations (MNZM)
- Danny Pato, for services to the hairdressing industry (MNZM)
- Hilary Sangster, for services to governance (MNZM)
- Keith Trembath, for services to the community, agriculture, and education (MNZM)
- Anita Varga, for services to women and the construction industry (MNZM)
- Delza Neben, for services to print media and the community (The Kings Service Medal, KSM).
Several Māori businesspeople also received recognition. You can read about them here.
For a full list of recipients of the New Year 2025 Honours List, please see here.
