Professor John Simpson, ONZM, of Christchurch, for services to art education
Professor John Simpson was head of the University of Canterbury’s School of Fine Arts for more than 30 years, driving a modernisation of the art education on offer.
He was Vice President and a Council member of the Canterbury Society of Arts. He served on the Board of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council.
He was chief examiner of School Certificate and University Entrance Practical Art, introducing the Bauhaus option into the art history curriculum. He co-founded the Design Association of New Zealand and served on the Executive.
He was a member of government-appointed design committees for decimal coinage and bank notes, and the Advisory Council for the selection of New Zealand postage stamps.
Professor Simpson has given works from his collection to Christchurch Gallery Te Puna o Waihetū.