John Eady
John Eady, of St Heliers, received the Insignia of an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit at an investiture ceremony on 26 September 2008. Mr Eady ran the music store Lewis Eady, a 122-year-old family-owned business, for 50 years. He established the Auckland Junior Music Contest, the Ministers Plate Music Competitions at Auckland Boys Grammar School, and the Secondary Schools Large Groups Music Competition. He is the patron of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and has sponsored and donated trophies and pianos to some 15 national organisations, including The Aotea Centre, the University of Auckland, and the Christchurch Convention Centre.