Dame Malvina Major with her children Andrew, Lorraine and Alethea, who she gave up opera to raise, after her investiture at Government House. (NZ Herald Archive)
The idea of selecting a New Zealander of the Year started in 1991 and ran until 1995 when there was a three-year gap before we resumed in 1999.
Our first choice was opera singer Dame Malvina Major.
She was made Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1991 for services to the arts and for her charity appearances which had raised $1 million for Rotary and other projects.
She also established the Dame Malvina Major Foundation to help aspiring young artists fulfil their dreams.
"Less well understood in New Zealand is the incredulity in influential casting circles over the seeming decision to 'give it all away' - a situation that made the search for a return that began in 1984 a daunting hurdle."
But return she did, and made her mark on the world stage with leading roles in most of the great operas.
From the Herald archives:
'Queen's Birthday Honours 2012: Dame Malvina Major', NZ Herald online, 4 June 2012
Further reading:
Profile of Malvina Major, Dame Malvina Major Foundation
'Dame Malvina Major - From Gumboots to Glory', Puke Ariki
Further viewing:
This Is Your Life - Malvina Major, NZ On Screen, 1998
An inspiring, astonishing adventure, including being mistaken for missing Marokopa family.