Ronald Chan

Ronald Chan, of Manukau, received the Insignia of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to business.  Mr Chan, pictured with the Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Ethnic Affairs, and members of his family, has been involved in the fruit and vegetable trade in Auckland for more than 50 years.  He co-founded Vege World in 1991 and went on to establish the Fruit World franchise in 2001.  Fruit World is the largest independent franchisee green grocer store in New Zealand.  In 2005, he was awarded the Roger Davies Trophy for service to the Horticulture Industry and in 2008, was recognised with a New Zealand Summer Fruit Industry Award for his long contribution to the industry; the first time the New Zealand Summer Fruit Industry has recognised an individual outside the fruit growing sector.  Mr Chan has also been involved in Chinese opera and has been instrumental in fostering local singers, bringing performances to New Zealand, and donating the proceeds from shows to various New Zealand charitable organisations.