City salutes education and sports leader

Former Grammar head and All Black captain joins 'distinguished citizens' list after lifetime of service

John Graham, the former Auckland Grammar School headmaster and All Black captain, was last night named as the latest "distinguished citizen" of Auckland City.

At a special city council meeting, Mr Graham's name was added to those of Sir Edmund Hillary, the late Sir Hugh Kawharu, Professor Peter Gluckman, Professor C.K. Stead and Dame Jenny Gibbs on the roll of honour at the Town Hall.

The mayor, John Banks, described Mr Graham, who has also been chancellor of Auckland University, manager of New Zealand cricket, president of the NZRU and chairman or a trustee of numerous organisations and businesses, as a great leader and someone who was looked up to by Aucklanders.

Four city councillors who are Grammar old boys - Doug Armstrong, Richard Northey, Paul Goldsmith and Sam Lotu-Iiga - paid tribute to Mr Graham's 21 years as headmaster and his public service since then.

Mr Graham said he had been supported, advised and "restrained" by many quality people in his career in education and other public roles, particularly his wife, Shiela.

He said he had learned early that giving your very best was the first step to meeting the threshold of success. Living in Auckland had provided opportunities that would not have been open to him elsewhere.