Eltham businessman and entrepreneur John Burling is one of only a handful of people, and the only person in Taranaki, to be honoured telling his story in Westpac's 150th anniversary book.
``It is pretty good. They started with thousands of people and then shortlisted it down. There are a lot of famous people in there and a lot of people who have done great things for New Zealand. I am very proud to feature with them,'' says John, 57. He is director of two businesses, the first seeded in his bloke's shed at home 25 years ago and built into the one of the most technologically advanced businesses in New Zealand and a budding player on the global stage.
And the buck doesn't stop there.
``I live for pushing the envelope. I have no time for negative talk. Identify the problem and fix it, is my motto.''
He has big plans and sees the Eltham-based companies, Carac Couplings and TrackGrip Limited, grow into multi-national players.
``The future is bright,'' he says.
``It has not happened overnight. But, all the way through I tried to keep up with technology. We have had a lot of firsts,'' he says, with installing the world's fastest laser cutter being one.
It is a family business, with his wife Yvonne and three children, Mark, Sonia, Heather, working alongside more than 40 (and growing) employees.
And, though he has his eyes set on the world stage, he has no plans to move his base from Eltham.
``I love it here. Eltham offers advantages you won't get anywhere else. Here we own the premises whereas rent in Auckland will be more per month than you would pay here in a year.''
He worked for two employers before spreading his wings.
His advice for future entrepreneurs is to give it a go.
``You get nowhere without taking that first step.''
Westpac's 150th anniversary book was recently released to commemorate the bank's history in New Zealand over that period, telling 56 stories of people from around the country, from customers, staff, community groups, businesses, sponsorships and other talented individuals who had a part to play in New Zealand over the last 150 years.
``It was a privilege to present this to John and Yvonne and the family at the Bridge Street business in Eltham. John's story epitomises what's unique about kiwis, which is what the book is all about. Having a dream or idea and following it without looking back,'' says Andrew Moore, Taranaki business manager for Westpac.
In the book Keri Welham writes (paraphrased) : John started fixing chainsaws when he was five.
Neighbours in the tiny Taranaki settlement of Ararata used to drop by with lawnmowers or chainsaws which weren't working and John would tinker with them until they were fixed. At four years of age, he would ask to sit
at the railway station all day to watch steam-trains go by. At 10, he built his first go-kart. By 12, he had constructed his first motorbike.
``I always wanted to hammer nails and make things.''
Farming may have been in John's blood, but it was engineering which captured his heart
``I always wanted, one day, to own the biggest engineering firms in New Zealand. I never wanted to be second