Garry Robertson is one of New Zealand's biggest aggregators of land but nobody knows who he is. He speaks out for the first time.
A New Zealand multi-millionaire who admits knowing nothing about films can now call himself an "executive producer" after bankrolling a new documentary on the late social justice reformer Celia Lashlie.
Garry Robertson grew up in the Otago town of Mosgiel witnessing "plenty of violence" and determined to prove to his father that he wasn't stupid.
Starting out as an apprentice electrician at Dunedin Railways, Robertson worked his way up to become one of New Zealand's biggest land aggregators and most influential millionaires.
But he's also a passionate philanthropist who wants nothing more than ordinary, hard-working Kiwis making good in life.
Garry Robertson's father once told him he was too stupid to own a home. Robertson set out to prove him wrong. Photo / Greg Bowker
After hearing former TV current affairs journalist Amanda Millar calling for Givealittle donations to help fund a film of Lashlie's life, while stuck in Auckland traffic, Robertson thought he could help.
Lashlie, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2015, had impacted his life and the way he and his ex-wife brought up their four sons.
They had attended the former women's prison manager's public talks and read her classic book, He'll Be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men.
"It was well-researched, full of common sense and very logical," Robertson said.
"It particularly helped me understand how boys think and also helped me understand my own thinking. I figured she's a really good iconic woman and if I can help here, I will."
Robertson donated $1000 to the campaign and got talking with Millar.
It was clear there were funding issues, especially because of the "raw subject" of domestic violence.
"Yet it's costing the country billions of dollars a year," said Robertson who says he saw plenty of violence in his neighbourhood while he was growing up. And he knows that it is still prevalent for many New Zealand households.
Garry Robertson says the late speaker and social commentator Celia Lashlie influenced the way his own sons were brought up.
He told Millar he'd finance the lot: "I'll fund this whole documentary for you. I really like Celia, this is a damn good cause, why don't I just get behind it and let's sort it. I'm only a wee guy, but I'm pretty powerful when I stand up and set my mind to something."
Robertson watched some of the filming and has seen the "amazing" almost-completed film in its final stages of sound mixing.
The newly-minted "executive producer" is adamant that Celia, which premieres at the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) in Wellington on Thursday, will make a difference.
"We've done a really good thing for New Zealand here," he said.
"I'm confident it will hit a chord for many New Zealanders and get us all on the road to change attitudes."
