Glenn's gift honours Sir Howard

Lady Kuia Morrison and Owen Glenn at the Maori Business Leaders Awards at Auckland University last night. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The late Sir Howard Morrison has been honoured with an annual and substantial tertiary scholarship in his name thanks to his close friend, billionaire philanthropist Owen Glenn.

The $90,000 three-year scholarship for Maori PhD business students was announced at the Aotearoa New Zealand Maori Business Leaders Awards at the University of Auckland Business School last night.

It will be funded via a $1 million endowment fund with seed money from Mr Glenn, one of Sir Howard's closest mates and the business school's biggest benefactor.

Mr Glenn, who flew to Auckland from Melbourne where his colt Monaco Consul won the Victoria Derby last month, made the presentation at the Owen G. Glenn Building with Sir Howard's widow, Lady Kuia Morrison, and daughter Donna Grant.

He told the Herald he had never discussed the scholarship idea with Sir Howard but, after the entertainer died, had received an invitation from the business school to make a contribution to attract Maori students.

"They asked me to kick it off with a donation and I said, 'Yeah, fine', but it's not just me who is making a contribution. There are certainly others."

Mr Glenn - one of New Zealand's richest men, who spends most of his time in Monaco - said he missed Sir Howard, who would often accompany him on trips overseas.

"We had a lot of in-depth discussions. Howard was a thinker; he built his career as a singer and an entertainer but he was a lot deeper than that.

"He felt not just for the Maori people but for Pacific Islanders, Pakeha, everyone. He had very sort of level views, though he did accept Maori and Pacific Islanders probably needed more help than others."

Lady Kuia said the scholarship was a generous gift from Mr Glenn and something her late husband would have loved.

"Howard was very passionate about kids achieving. He was always busy getting the kids in the family together and encouraging them to be better," she said.

Mrs Grant said a Sir Howard Morrison education fund for undergraduate students had already been established but Mr Glenn's donation would greatly assist the next generation of Maori commercial decision-makers.

Business school dean Professor Greg Whittred said the school was proud and privileged to mark Sir Howard's achievements with a meaningful offering to Maori academics.

"Sir Howard epitomised the idea of taking a dream and making it happen through hard work, dedication and devotion.

"He was considered one of New Zealand's great treasures and, I believe, would have been extremely pleased to be honoured in a way that assists another successful future Maori leader to be inspired and supported in achieving their own goals in their respective fields."

Mr Glenn said he had further plans to honour Sir Howard, including a Maori cultural centre, possibly at Ohinemutu, and a race day at Matamata on December 23 with a handicap race in the singer's name.

The proceeds from the race would go to Sir Howard's tsunami relief project, which aims to build homes for Samoan victims by Christmas.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: VAIMOANA TAPALEAO