Jack Henry (industrialist)

[1] John Henry was a forester and sawmiller and several of his other children would go on to play significant roles in their respective fields in New Zealand — Jack’s older brothers, the Hon.

Similarly to many established New Zealand families of the day, Jack Henry’s childhood would be a difficult one as the country faced the economic challenges of the aftermath of the First World War and the onset of the 1930s Great Depression.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Henry joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and saw action in the Pacific theatre.

Jack’s resignation from the Company coincided with the hostile takeover bid that would see New Zealand Forest Products sold to the Australian corporate raider, John Elliot.

He was also actively involved in scientific fundraising for Dothistroma research, Frank Newhook’s pathology programme, as well as endowing the Chair of Wood Science and providing Visiting Fellows for the School of Forestry at the University of Canterbury.