3rd June 2025 By Staff Reporter | news@propertyticker.co.nz | @propertyticker
Tumu Group’s John O’Sullivan and Surrey Hotel owner Richard Balcombe-Langridge have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.
O’Sullivan has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and philanthropy.
His Tumu Group, based in Havelock North, develops commercial, residential and retirement property and also has interests in manufacturing, agribusiness, transport, logistics and finance.
“Mr John O’Sullivan has built the family-owned Tumu Group of businesses since 1978, mainly centred on the East Coast of the North Island and currently employing more than 600 staff,” stated his King’s Birthday Honours citation.
“Through Tumu Group, Mr O’Sullivan has invested significantly in local infrastructure and organisations including the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Trust, Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union, Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter, the Hawke’s Bay Foundation, Te Mata Peak Trust and Kaweka Hospital.
“In 2014, he set up Tumu Group’s charitable arm, The Evergreen Foundation. The Foundation established a scholarship programme for rangatahi at Lindisfarne College and a health fund supporting second opinions in cancer and other specialist services. Through the Evergreen Foundation, Mr O’Sullivan created a Cyclone Gabrielle Relief Fund, raising more than $3.4m for the East Coast region’s recovery, with a special focus on the heavily impacted horticultural and agricultural sectors.”
Property developer and owner of Metropolitan Rentals vehicle company, Balcombe-Langridge, has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business.
“Mr Richard Balcombe-Langridge has contributed to the New Zealand business and finance sector for more than 60 years as a leading figure in Auckland’s transport, hospitality and building industry,” stated his citation.
“He has successfully managed a number of major redevelopment projects across Auckland, including a total rebuild of Pepperwood Mews, referred to as one of the country’s most notorious leaky buildings. He has bought and renovated residential and commercial properties including warehousing and offices for transport, car dealers and small business owners.
“He has contributed to the tourism and hospitality industry, including as owner of the Surrey Hotel. Through his private vintage car museum, a unique collection among the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, he has supported community causes.”
University of Auckland structural engineer Professor Charles Clifton has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to structural engineering.
“As structural engineer at HERA (Heavy Engineering Research Association) in Auckland from 1983 to 2007, Professor Clifton established the structural steel service at a time when the use of steel in multi-level buildings was almost non-existent.
“He has made significant contributions to standards, guidelines and research programme development in the steel industry. His focus has been on making steel framed buildings not just safe during seismic events but also durable to make structures reusable. From his innovations, notably the sliding hinge joint, buildings can remain serviceable and not require demolition following a seismic event.”
The full King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 can be seen here.
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