Mr Barry Thomas, of Queenstown, CNZM for services to tourism and business
A chartered accountant by trade, Barry Thomas founded a number of successful New Zealand businesses. He was a long-serving Chairman of the Board of Skyline Enterprises, overseeing Skyline’s significant growth and its expansion throughout New Zealand and into Singapore, Canada, and South Korea. He was a leader behind the development of the Skyline Luge and has helped expand the Luge concept offshore. He established Mountain Scene, a tourist publication to promote the Southern lakes region. He was instrumental in establishing the Queenstown and Christchurch Casinos and their charitable trusts. He has been involved with the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand and the New Zealand Tourism Board. Mr Thomas has been a Board member of Christchurch International Airport, Queenstown Airport Corporation, and the New Zealand Rugby Union Board.