Michael J Savage, by Rudolf Boelee
Acrylic, silkscreen and lacquer on board , 1996
Private Collection

Savage's government introduced many reforms which enhanced the wellbeing of New Zealanders. He is particularly associated with the Social Security Act. He died in early 1940 at the height of his popularity. His photograph hung on the wall of thousands of New Zealand homes for many years after.

Charles Fleming, by Judy Williams
Oil on board, 1986
Private Collection

New Zealand’s most distinguished environmental scientist. His ability to cross interdisciplinary boundaries and to communicate his findings well beyond the scientific community, and his first-hand knowledge of many isolated areas, together with his industrious research and numerous publications, made him an accomplished advocate for the environment.

Professor Lloyd Geering, by Eugenea Lubomudrov
Oil on canvas, 2001
Religious Studies Dept. Victoria University Collection

New Zealand’s leading public intellectual and religious thinker. He first served as a parish minister in the Presbyterian Church, before turning to theological teaching in 1956. He rejects Christian (and Muslim) fundamentalism, but he also set a standard for all New Zealanders by demonstrating that everyone had the right to follow their own religious conscience.

SANDRA LORRAINE CONEY
Feminist, author, local body politician
Born 22 October 1944, Wellington

Sandra Coney, by Anna Crichton
Pen and ink drawing, c 1998
Private Collection

Probably New Zealand’s best-known representative of third-wave feminism. A particular concern is women’s health.
As in the case of other makers of New Zealand, many of the radical concerns of her youth are now accepted by almost everyone. More recently her political activities have extended to the environment; she represents Waitakere on the Auckland Council.

JOSIP PETROV BABICH
Winemaker
23 October 1895, Dalmatia – 22 August 1983, Henderson, Auckland.

Petar and Josip Babich of Babich Wines, by Kevin Judd
Colour photograph, 2008
New Zealand Portrait Gallery Collection

A pioneer in wine production in New Zealand. As the demand for good wine rose from the 1960s his family company expanded; its table wines remain a distinctive brand with a reputation for quality to this day.

ARTHUR LESLIE LYDIARD
Athletics coach, fitness pioneer
6 July 1917, Auckland– 11 December 2007, Houston, Texas.

Arthur Lydiard, by Murray Webb
Digital image, [ 13 December 2004]
DX-001-961
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ

On 2 September 1960, two New Zealanders, Peter Snell and Murray Halberg, won gold medals for the 800m and 5000m at the Rome Olympics. They became national celebrities. They were trained by Arthur Lydiard whose scientific training system had an aerobic base, relying on strength from running over hills or sand dunes, and speed from repeated short fast runs. For a while other New Zealand male and female athletes prospered until Lydiard’s approach was adopted throughout the world (for other sports as well). Lydiard helped found the Auckland Joggers’ Club, beginning a movement for mass fitness, attracting those with heart problems, who unprecedentedly were encouraged to ‘run for their lives’, an activity which has become world-wide.

ALISTER DONALD MILES MCINTOSH
Secretary of External Affairs
29 November 1906, Picton – 30 November 1978, Wellington.

Alistair McIntosh, by S P Andrew
Photograph, ca 1945
F- 20007-1/4, S P Andrew Collection
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ

In 1932 New Zealand’s diplomatic service consisted of the High Commission in London and a couple of advisers. Even relations with Australia operated through London. As secretary of external affairs from 1943 to 1966 Alister McIntosh presided over the development of New Zealand diplomatic service to a wide representation throughout the world, serviced by a career civil service. Universally and affectionately known as Mac, he worked with prime ministers including Peter Fraser – he also ran the prime minister’s office -to reduce New Zealand's diplomatic reliance on Britain. He was an excellent administrator and a wise and perceptive strategic thinker, writing in 1943 ‘our rightful place is in the South Pacific paddling our own canoe as best we can.’