Roger Kerr 1945-2011

Today we lost a dear friend and an exceptional New Zealander.

Roger Kerr spent his lifetime serving New Zealand. After 20 years working at a senior level with the New Zealand Treasury and the Department of Foreign Affairs he was appointed the first Executive Director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable, a position he held for the next 25 years.

Those of us who believe the most successful societies are built upon free markets, individual responsibility and choice, and the encouragement of entrepreneurship, had no better champion than Roger. Even those who disagreed with his views could not help but respect his depth of knowledge and passion.

Roger argued his case calmly and rationally, but no one could mistake his warmth and civility for weakness. Roger never gave up without a fight - an attribute he maintained until the end.

Roger Kerr was an intellectual giant and tireless advocate for freedom. More than that he was a husband, father, colleague, teacher, and friend. He will be greatly missed.