Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated the recipients of the 2025 New Year Honours list. Included on the 2025 list is Sir John Gallagher, who has had a bach in Long Street, Raglan for many years.
PM Luxon added, “Sir John Gallagher is one of three Knight Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit appointed this year. The appointment of Sir John Gallagher reflects his continued service as a philanthropist, a community leader and as major shareholder and director of Gallagher Holdings. His service to Habitat for Humanity spans 25 years and the Gallagher Charitable Trust continues to benefit the community. The Waikato, and New Zealand, have benefited greatly from the Gallagher family’s service,” says Mr Luxon.
In the past, the Gallagher foundations, trusts and company have funded the surfing exhibition at Raglan Museum and work undertaken by the Karioi Project. The strongest local support has been to Raglan Volunteer Coastguard for both the rescue vessel, Gallagher Rescue and the base, Gallagher Base.
GALLAGHER, Mr John Allan, CNZM, KStJ
For services to business, education, philanthropy and the community
Mr John Gallagher was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 and has since continued to serve and contribute his community and various organisations.
Mr Gallagher is recognized as a community leader and philanthropist and is a major shareholder and Director of Gallagher Holdings Ltd. He continues to serve as a Director of Habitat for Humanity Hamilton, where over 25 years as Chairman he guided the organization from small beginnings to an international business operating from Hamilton, in the Waikato region.
He is a Trustee of the Gallagher Charitable Trust, a member of the Hamilton Rotary Club for 30 years, a member and Fellow of the New Zealand Trustees Association, a member and Distinguished Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. He served for 25 years on the Council of the University of Waikato, including terms as Pro-Chancellor then Chancellor from 2003 to 2006. He was a New Zealand National Fieldays Society founding exhibitor from inception, a Hamilton City Councillor for 12 years and Waikato Regional Councillor for three years.
He was a Trustee of Skycity Hamilton Community Trust from 2003 to 2009, Hamilton Garden’s Te Parapara Garden Trust from 2006 to 2012 and a Councillor for the Young Enterprise Trust. In 2011 Mr Gallagher established and is a Trustee of the Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation.