Christopher Parkin, Wellington, CNZM
For services to business and the arts. Mr Parkin is the owner of the Museum Hotel in Wellington, is a board member of Te Papa Tongarewa – The Museum of New Zealand and Chairs several charitable and public organisations including the St James Theatre Trust, Wellington Venues Ltd, and the New Zealand Affordable Arts Trust. He is also a trustee of the Hannah Playhouse Trust. Mr Parkin was named Wellingtonian of the Year by the Evening Post in 1993 when he bought the Museum Hotel to save it from demolition, then had it moved across the street to make way for the construction of Te Papa. It is the largest building in New Zealand to be relocated. Mr Parkin is an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and an art collector. Much of his collection is on public display at the Museum Hotel. He was a Wellington City Councillor for three terms from 1995 to 2004.