Roger Kerr loses battle with cancer

Roger Kerr, the executive director of the NZ Business Roundtable, died in Wellington last night after battling melanoma. He was 66.

He told TV3's The Nation programme in April that he wanted to live and was "carrying on" until his death.

"I've got a health issue. I was diagnosed last October with metastatic melanoma, that's a pretty deadly cancer as you'll know, but if the time has come to sign off well you know it comes for all of us at some point of time, but I've had a great life. I've had a wonderful career, I've had wonderful friends, I've got a terrific job, and I want to live, so I've got a beautiful new wife, I've got a 15-month-old granddaughter in Seattle, I've still got a lot of work that I want to do, so unless and until such time comes as I have to fold the tent as it were, I'll be carrying on, and I'm exploring all sorts of possibilities all around the world for treatment, and I guess I've slain a few dragons in my time, and I'm gonna give this one a good old fight," he told the programme.

“Roger made a significant contribution to New Zealand business, public policy and the wider economy over several decades,” Prime Minister John Key said today.

“He was a man of integrity and energy, who was not afraid to debate important issues passionately and often controversially.  But he did it calmly and focused on the issues at hand, rather than making the debates personal.

Mr Key said while he did not always agree with Mr Kerr’s views on economic policy, he shared Mr Kerr's driving aspiration for New Zealand to build a stronger economy based on a vibrant business sector.

"That’s what Roger was all about over so many years.Roger’s services to business were recognised earlier this year when he received the honour of Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit."

“He will leave a significant gap in the New Zealand business and financial community. Despite his illness, he continued to provide his characteristically forthright views through newspaper columns and blogs as recently as this week," Mr Key said.

BusinessNZ CEO Phil O'Reilly said Mr Kerr was a courageous and respected New Zealand leader. 

"Roger Kerr's life was dedicated to New Zealand's advancement and he will be remembered with deep respect," Mr O'Reilly said when paying tribute to the long-time advocate for economic freedom and reform he said made a profound impact on New Zealand's policy process.

"He was particularly admired for the ongoing quality of his research and advocacy."

Before joining the Business Roundtable 25 years ago, Roger Kerr held senior roles in the New Zealand Treasury and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a vocal proponent of Rogernomics.

He was a director of the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, a member of the Council of Victoria University of Wellington, and a member of the Group Board of Colonial Limited in Melbourne from 1996 to 2000.

As well as receiving the 2001 NZIER Qantas Economics Award, Mr Kerr was awarded the Tasman Medal by the Melbourne-based Tasman Institute in 1994 in recognition of his contribution to public policy.  In 2005 he was awarded the Charles Copeman Medal by the HR Nicholls Society for distinguished service in the cause of New Zealand and Australian workplace relations. 

He was a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management (FNZIM) and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Roger Kerr is survived by wife Catherine Isaac (who is standing for ACT in next month's election), three sons from a previous marriage and one grandchild (another is due early next year).

• A funeral and celebration of Mr Kerr's life will be held at Old St Paul's, Mulgrave St, Wellington, on Thursday, November 3, at 2.30pm.