Waikato University honours Prolife founder

A Hamilton businessman who turned a pile of dried apricots into one of the country’s largest privately owned food businesses is to receive the University of Waikato’s highest honour.

Bernie Crosby will receive an honorary doctorate at the university’s graduation ceremony on April 18.

Mr Crosby and his wife Kaye founded Prolife Foods in the mid-1980s after they loaned an importer money to bring apricots from Argentina. The importer defaulted on payment and the Crosbys repossessed the fruit to recover their money.

Mr Crosby sold the apricots from the boot of his car and the rest, as they say, is history.  

Today, the Te Rapa-based company supplies supermarkets in New Zealand and Australia.

Prolife Foods employs more than 600 people and is one of the country’s largest importers, manufacturers and marketers of nuts, dried fruit, snacks, cereals and confectionery products.

They are sold under the Mother Earth, Alison’s Pantry and Value Pack brands.

Last year, Prolife acquired Hamilton chocolate manufacturer Donovans Chocolates and the company now manufactures more than 450 tonnes of product a year.

In making the honour, the university says Mr Crosby is known for developing and maintaining excellent relationships with stakeholders and has been recognised for his leadership with many awards.

Besides Prolife Foods, he has held directorships at several other companies and contributes to the community through his support of the Hamilton Gardens, the MESH Sculpture Trust, the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award, and the Coromandel Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust.  

He has also initiated a campaign to raise $1 million over five years to fund neurological research into Parkinson’s disease.  

Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford says Mr Crosby has shown what can be achieved through determination and perseverance, and from focusing on relationships.

“He has proved that through positive thinking and hard work, what may initially appear as a setback can, in fact, be a great opportunity.

"[He] has left an indelible mark on the Hamilton community, not only through Prolife Foods but also through his support of other business, community organisations and health research.”