Sir Brendan Lindsay, of Auckland, KNZM for services to business and philanthropy
Sir Brendan Lindsay founded the plastics storage container business Sistema Plastics in 1982, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business in 2012, and has been contributing to the community through philanthropy. Sir Brendan built Sistema Plastics into a recognised leading global food storage brand, producing sustainable and recyclable storage products stamped ‘Made in New Zealand’ and exported to 55 countries. Sistema was sold to an American firm in 2016, with the buyer committing in writing to keep production in New Zealand for 20 years. Following completion of the sale, Sir Brendan and his wife established the Lindsay Foundation to support New Zealand charities, focusing on family, education, disabilities and animal welfare. The many charitable organisations assisted include Pet Refuge, Starship National Air Ambulance Service, New Zealand Riding for the Disabled and Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust. He is a foundation partner of The Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata in Le Quesnoy, France, which commemorates the 122 New Zealand soldiers who died liberating that village from occupation at the end of the first World War, with no loss of life to the town residents. Sir Brendan was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to business.