37-560: Sir Markus Dunajtschik KNZM (born 1935) is a New Zealand businessman, property developer, and philanthropist. With his partner, Dorothy Spotswood, he donated $ 53 million towards the cost of Wellington 's new children's hospital, Te Wao Nui, which was opened in September 2022. In the 2023 New Year Honours , Dunajtschik was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit , for services to philanthropy. Mark Dunajtschik
74-565: A foundation in his name, to be managed by the Nikau Foundation. The new foundation will give grants to support people with intellectual and physical disabilities. In 2017 Dunajtschik won the business category of the 'Wellingtonian of the Year' awards, and was named the supreme winner, 'Wellingtonian of the Year', for his philanthropic work. Dunajtschik stated at the time: "Wellington has been good to me and I want to be good to Wellington". In 2020
111-461: A $ 10 million restoration of the building. At the time Dunajtschik joked that the building would be known as "Mark's Folly". The Asteron Centre, designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects, opened in 2010 and won a Wellington Architecture Award for commercial architecture in 2011. It suffered minor cracking in the 2013 Seddon earthquake , which reappeared in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake . The main tenant, Inland Revenue, then evacuated its 2000 staff from
148-529: A Dame Grand Companion, formally receiving investiture in 2024 from Prince William . Graeme Dingle Sir Graeme Dingle KNZM MBE (born 30 November 1945) is a New Zealand outdoor adventurer and mountaineer , who founded the Graeme Dingle Foundation. He is also known for his writing and humanitarianism. Born in Gisborne on 30 November 1945 to Herbert and Ann Dingle, Graeme Dingle
185-466: A Knight Grand Companion himself) restored the honours to their pre-April 2000 state. Principal Companions and Distinguished Companions (85 people in total) were given the option to convert their awards into Knighthoods or Damehoods. The restoration was welcomed by Monarchy New Zealand . The option has been taken up by 72 of those affected, including rugby great Colin Meads . Former Labour MP Margaret Shields
222-468: A Knight or Dame Companion, and thus not to accept the respective appellation of "Sir" or "Dame". The majority of those affected chose the aforereferenced appellations. After initially declining redesignation in 2009, Vincent O'Sullivan and Sam Neill accepted the change in December 2021 and June 2022, respectively. A change to non-titular honours was a recommendation contained within the original report of
259-467: A business, Precision Grinders, making and servicing tungsten carbide tools. Dunajtschik ran the company for 28 years before selling it to his nephew in 1987. On retirement from his business, Dunajtschik took up property investment and development as an interest. He became successful at this, at one time having over 40 commercial and investment properties in his portfolio. Property investor Bob Jones reputedly stated that “all property developers go broke and
296-428: A donation, Dunajtschik declared that he could build the hospital himself more cheaply and quickly than if it was left up to government. He said "most benefactors write out a cheque, but in this case, that wouldn't get nearly as much done for the money. I can use my skill as a builder and developer to get the maximum value out of the $ 50m I'm donating for our children." The project took five years and cost $ 100 million, with
333-467: A mechanical engineering department. A laboratory and a research centre named after Dunajtschik will be established. Dunajtschik said that engineering had given him his beginning in life and that he wanted to enable other people to use their engineering skills to work in different places in the world. In 2017 Dunajtschik and his partner Dorothy Spotswood committed $ 53 million to build a new children's hospital at Wellington Hospital . Initially approached for
370-995: A prisoner of war, was able to join them a year later. Mark moved to Reutlingen when he was 15, to train as a toolmaker. While studying in Reutlingen, Dunajtschik ended up living in a home for disabled people, since it was difficult to find accommodation in post-war Germany. He states that this experience made him appreciate having a healthy mind and body and gave him insight that mentally or physically disabled people should be supported by those who are able. After completing his training. Dunajtschik moved to Canada and spent five years travelling in South America, Australia and New Zealand. After visiting New Zealand in 1955 and then travelling back to Europe, Dunajtschik decided to settle permanently in New Zealand. He arrived in Wellington in 1958. He set up
407-644: Is also a Secretary and Registrar (the Clerk of the Executive Council) and a Herald (the New Zealand Herald of Arms) of the Order. There also exist miniatures and lapel badges of the five levels of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Knight/Dames Grand Companion and Knight/Dames Companion are entitled to use the style Sir for males and Dame for females. The order's statutes grant heraldic privileges to members of
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#1732872917875444-649: The ACT New Zealand party deriding the PCNZM's initials as standing for "a Politically Correct New Zealand that used to be a Monarchy". The issue of titular honours would appear whenever honours were mentioned. In the lead up to the 2005 general election , Leader of the Opposition Don Brash suggested that should a National-led government be elected, he would reverse Labour's changes and re-introduce knighthoods. In 2009, Prime Minister John Key (later to become
481-626: The order of precedence , the New Zealand Order of Merit ranks immediately after the Order of New Zealand . Prior to 1996, New Zealanders received appointments to various British orders, such as the Order of the Bath , the Order of St Michael and St George , the Order of the British Empire , and the Order of the Companions of Honour , as well as the distinction of Knight Bachelor . The change came about after
518-582: The 1995 honours committee ( The New Zealand Royal Honours System: The Report of the Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee ) which prompted the creation of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Titular honours were incorporated into the new system before its implementation in 1996 after the National Party caucus and public debate were split as to whether titles should be retained. There has long been debate in New Zealand regarding
555-526: The Asteron Centre. In 2011 Dunajtschik applied to Wellington City Council for a permit to demolish the Harcourts building due to the costs of earthquake strengthening required to bring the building up to code. Dunajtschik argued that the building had lost value after the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes , and said that although it would not fall down in a severe earthquake, the historic ornamentation on
592-476: The Governor-General's Award for mountain rescue, and the U.S. National Science Foundation 's Antarctic Service Award. He was named the 2011 Supreme Winner of the 2011 New Zealand Outdoor Excellence Awards. Dingle was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire , for services to outdoor pursuits, in the 1988 Queen's Birthday Honours . In the 2001 New Year Honours , he was appointed an Officer of
629-776: The Himalayas, a distance of some 5000 km, in 265 days. He has made a 28,000 km traverse of the Arctic, the first winter traverse of the Southern Alps taking 100 days, and the first transit of the Northwest Passage by snow machine. At the inaugural Coast to Coast race in 1983, Dingle was set to win the individual men's competition. Due to staggered starts, the English anesthetist Joe Sherriff would have to beat him by 2 minutes for an overall win, but 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) out from
666-552: The Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee (1995) was created "to consider and present options and suggestions on the structure of a New Zealand Royal Honours System in New Zealand, which is designed to recognise meritorious service, gallantry and bravery and long service". The monarch of New Zealand is the Sovereign of the order and the governor-general is its Chancellor. Appointments are made at five levels: From 2000 to 2009,
703-461: The Property Council awarded Dunajtschik a lifetime membership award, the 'Property Council New Zealand Members’ Laureate', in recognition of his 20 years in the property industry and charitable work. The Property Council said Dunajtschick was “a shining example of ‘property for good’, consistently breaking the often-negative connotations that come with the role of property developer”. Dunajtschik
740-492: The appropriateness of titles. Some feel it is no longer appropriate as New Zealand has not been a colony since 1907, and to these people titles are out of step with present-day New Zealand. Others feel that titles carry both domestic and international recognition, and that awarded on the basis of merit they remain an appropriate recognition of excellence. In April 2000 the then new Labour Prime Minister, Helen Clark , announced that knighthoods and damehoods had been abolished and
777-433: The building after an engineering report raised concerns about earthquake resistance. Dunajtschik said at the time that the building was safe and would be remediated. In July 2021 Inland Revenue again evacuated its staff from the building after a new engineering report indicated possible problems. The building was strengthened during 2022, and Dunajtschik said that receiving the new code of compliance from Wellington City Council
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#1732872917875814-453: The club after a trip overland by motorbike from New Zealand to Europe in 1955, before he decided to settle permanently in Wellington. The couple never married and have no children. Dunajtschik became a New Zealand citizen around 2019. Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system . It
851-453: The façade was dangerous and would cost too much to make good. Engineers estimated it would cost $ 5 million to complete earthquake-strengthening. The Historic Places Trust was in favour of retaining the building. In May 2014 Dunajtschik won an appeal against an Environment Court ruling that had blocked his plans to demolish the building, but by November that year a second Environment Court ruling had ruled against him and he reluctantly committed to
888-659: The finish line, Dingle was still out of Sherriff's sight. However, Sherriff overtook him on this cycling leg riding in a strong bunch and clutched the overall win from him. Dingle served as the chairman of the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and The Project K Charitable Trust, and was the founding chairman of the New Zealand Outdoor Assembly. He is the co-founder of the Graeme Dingle Foundation along with his wife, Jo-anne Wilkinson , Lady Dingle. Dingle's awards have included
925-595: The first and second level, who are entitled to have the Order's circlet ("a green circle, edged gold, and inscribed with the Motto of the Order in gold") surrounding their shield. Grand Companions are also entitled to heraldic supporters . The Chancellor is entitled to supporters and a representation of the Collar of the Order around his/her shield. The following contains the names of the small number of living Distinguished Companions (DCNZM) who chose not to convert their appointment to
962-445: The five levels, there are three different types of membership. Ordinary membership is limited to citizens of New Zealand or a Commonwealth realm . "Additional" members, appointed on special occasions, are not counted in the numerical limits. People who are not citizens of a Commonwealth realm are given "Honorary" membership; if they subsequently adopt citizenship of a Commonwealth realm they are eligible for Additional membership. There
999-648: The government adding almost $ 46 million to Dunajtschik's contribution. Deeply involved with the design of the building, Dunajtschik expressed some frustration with the bureaucratic process along the way. Construction began in 2019 and the new hospital received its first patients in October 2022. The new hospital service was named Te Wao Nui and the building was named the Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood Building. Dunajtschik announced in May 2023 that his estate will be vested in
1036-515: The only exception is that bugger Mark Dunajtschik, and the reason he doesn't go broke is because he keeps his property". Dunajtschik is known for his personal, 'hands-on' approach to his properties and negotiations. Dunajtschik stated in 2011 that he only invests in properties located between Wellington Railway Station and the Basin Reserve. Buildings developed by Dunajtschik include Environment House, James Smith's, Harcourts building, HSBC Tower, and
1073-588: The order's statutes amended. From 2000 to 2009, the two highest levels of the Order were Principal Companion (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companion (DCNZM), without the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame"; appointment to all levels of the Order were recognised solely by the use of post-nominal letters. A National Business Review poll in February 2000 revealed that 54% of New Zealanders thought the titles should be scrapped. The Labour Government's April 2000 changes were criticised by opposition parties, with Richard Prebble of
1110-470: The service for ten years until commercial sponsorship was secured. In 2016 Dunajtschik donated $ 2 million to Victoria University to fund a Chair in sustainable energy systems, to be known as the Mark Dunajtschik Chair of Sustainable Energy. This will enable the university to set up a programme in sustainable energy systems. In 2023 Dunajtschik donated $ 10 million to Victoria University to set up
1147-408: The two highest levels of the Order were Principal Companion (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companion (DCNZM), without the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame". The number of Knights and Dames Grand Companion (and Principal Companions) is limited to 30 living people. Additionally, new appointments are limited to 15 Knights or Dames Companion, 40 Companions, 80 Officers and 140 Members per year. As well as
Mark Dunajtschik - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-578: Was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2023 New Year Honours , for services to philanthropy. In 2023 Dunajtschik was named 'Senior New Zealander of the Year' at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. Dunajtschik met his partner Dorothy Spotswood, who is also his business partner, at the Overland Club in Wellington in the 1960s. Dunajtschik had founded
1221-535: Was born to ethnically German parents in what was then Yugoslavia in 1935. When he was nine, Yugoslavian forces under Marshal Tito sent Mark, his mother and his sister to a prison camp in Knicanin . His grandmother died there. Three years later he and his mother and sister escaped via Hungary and Austria and eventually to Germany. Dunajtschik's family settled in the Black Forest in 1949, and Dunajtschik's father, who had been
1258-513: Was educated at Hutt Valley High School . In 1968, Dingle and Murray Jones were the first to climb all six major European north faces and the Bonati pillar, including Eiger and Matterhorn , in one season. He has achieved over 200 mountaineering and adventure firsts worldwide, including first ascents of mountains and faces in the Himalayas, the Andes, and in New Zealand. Dingle made the first traverse of
1295-452: Was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II , Queen of New Zealand , "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits", to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity. In
1332-751: Was one of those who accepted a Damehood, despite receiving a letter from former Prime Minister Helen Clark "setting out why Labour had abolished the titles and saying she hoped she would not accept one". Clark's senior deputy, Michael Cullen , also accepted a knighthood. Appointments continued when Labour returned to government in 2017 as the Sixth Labour Government . The 2018 New Year Honours included seven knights and dames. The government did not comment on its position regarding knighthoods and damehoods, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did specifically congratulate two women on becoming Dames Companion. On leaving office in 2023, Ardern accepted appointment as
1369-587: Was the highlight of his year. Dunajtschik has supported many charities including the Wellington Free Ambulance, Hohepa, an organisation providing disability support, the Graeme Dingle Foundation and the Heart Trust. Dunajtschik enabled the setting up of Wellington's rescue helicopter service Life Flight Trust in 1975, when he paid for a helicopter for pilot Peter Button . Dunajtschik funded
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