Chris Parkin

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Chris Parkin
CNZM
Parkin in 2011
Born
Christopher Wilton Parkin

1948 (age 75–76)
Doncaster, Yorkshire, England

Christopher Wilton Parkin CNZM (born 1948) is a New Zealand businessman, art collector and philanthropist.

Early life[edit]

Parkin was born in Doncaster, England in 1948 and emigrated to New Zealand with his family in 1952.[1] He grew up in Waikanae and Ōtaki and attended Otaki College, graduating in 1966.[1] He studied geochemistry and business at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Master's degree with Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce.[1]

Career[edit]

Parkin bought his first property for $12,500 at age 23, while still a student. He sold it for $30,000 a few years later.[2][3]

After graduating from university Parkin found work with a manufacturing business.[3] Two years later he moved to Development Finance Corporation as a financial analyst, and later convinced his employer to open an office in San Francisco.[3]

In 1979 Parkin and his second wife moved to California for his work as a business analyst.[2] Parkin spent four years in the US marketing New Zealand's export tax incentives to US businesses.[3] He returned from the US to Wellington in 1983 and invested in more property – blocks of apartments which he renovated and sold.[2][3]

Parkin took over management of the Museum Hotel in October 1990 and bought the building from the Government in 1992.[4] In 1993 he moved the hotel on rails to a new location in Cable Street.[4] Parkin sold the hotel in 2015.[5]

Politics[edit]

Parkin had left-wing views when he started university, but after studying economics his views moved further right and he ended up as branch chairman for the ACT party in 1994.[2][3] Parkin stated in 2020 that he was a socialist until he understood more about human nature. "You realise the futility of any political system that depends totally for its success on the goodwill of people towards others. It's human nature that stops socialism from ever succeeding. It doesn't have a chance."[2]

Parkin was a Wellington city councillor for the Lambton Ward from 1995 to 2004, when he chose to stand down.[1][6]

Philanthropy[edit]

Parkin has been a board member of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and served in several charitable and public organisations including the St James Theatre Trust, Wellington Venues Ltd, the New Zealand Affordable Arts Trust and the Hannah Playhouse Trust.[7]

In 2001 Parkin helped set up a scholarship to Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School.[8] This was awarded annually until 2014, and covered a year's tuition fees plus a monthly allowance.[9][10]

In 2005 Parkin gave $100,000 to the Wellington Sculpture Trust for a sculpture to be placed outside his Museum Hotel.[11] The sculpture, Per Capita, was installed in December 2006.[12]

In 2012 Parkin founded the Parkin Drawing Prize in association with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.[13] This national art competition is open to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. The winner of the Parkin Drawing Prize receives $25,000, increased from $20,000 when the Prize was first awarded in 2013.[14][13]

In 2019 Parkin gave $120,000 to Boosted, a crowdfunding platform for artists, to build a better site.[15]

Also in 2019, Parkin donated $1 million towards a planned national music centre in Wellington's Civic Square. The donation included $250,000 for an artwork to be commissioned for the space.[2][16]

Honours and awards[edit]

Parkin was named 'Wellingtonian of the Year' in 1993 for his efforts to shift the Museum Hotel to a new location.[7]

In 1995 Parkin was given an Award for Distinguished Service by Victoria University, for "outstanding contribution to the advancement of Victoria University of Wellington".[17]

In the 2011 Queen's Birthday honours list, Parkin was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the arts.[10][18]

Personal life[edit]

Parkin has been married three times and has two children with his second wife.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Carson, Fraser (4 May 2018). "Chris Parkin recognised as an inaugural inductee into the XOtaki Hall Of Fame". XOtaki College. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Manson, Bess (21 February 2020). "'I love attention' - Chris Parkin, art collector, grafter and egotist". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Palmer, Rebecca (15 November 2010). "Chris Parkin's plans for Wellington". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b Wannan, Olivia (17 August 2013). "Training all eyes on shifting a hotel". Stuff. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Chris Parkin sells Wellington's Museum Hotel to ASX-listed Amalgamated Holdings for $28.5M". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  6. ^ Jacobson, Julie (25 September 2004). "Candidates Vie For Fewer Seats". Dominion Post. p. A9 – via Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.
  7. ^ a b "Tuesday 2 August (Morning) | Christopher Parkin, Wellington, CNZM". gg.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Drama Scholarship". Evening Post (3 ed.). 14 November 2001. p. 2 – via Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.
  9. ^ "More Dance Fest". Dominion Post. 17 November 2014. p. A9 – via Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.
  10. ^ a b "Prendergast and Parkin honoured". Stuff. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Street Sculpture". Dominion Post. 15 February 2005. p. A6 – via Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.
  12. ^ "Turning Heads". Dominion Post. 4 December 2006. p. A3 – via Proquest Australia & New Zealand Newsstream.
  13. ^ a b "Parkin sponsors $20,000 prize". Stuff. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  14. ^ "This Art Award". Parkin Prize. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  15. ^ Blair, Jo (13 February 2020). "In Conversation With Arts Philanthropist, Chris Parkin". Arts Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  16. ^ Nightingale, Melissa (6 August 2019). "Wellington philanthropist Chris Parkin's $1 million contribution to national music centre fundraising". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  17. ^ Victoria University of Wellington (15 December 2020). "Honorary graduates and Hunter fellowships | About us | Victoria University of Wellington". www.wgtn.ac.nz. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  18. ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2011". The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2011. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2021.


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