Norgate to be farewelled today

Business leader Craig Norgate will be farewelled in his rural hometown today.

Mr Norgate was Fonterra's first chief executive, from 2001 to 2003.

The 50-year-old was in London with his wife Jane, son Jordan and daughter Alexandria when he suddenly collapsed and died earlier this month.

Mr Norgate's funeral will be held at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Hawera, Taranaki -- the town where he was born.

Despite his success in big business, Mr Norgate described himself as a "boy from the 'Naki", and those who knew him have called him humorous, energetic, passionate, visionary, driven and inspirational.

After his spell leading Fonterra, Mr Norgate worked at PGG Wrightson, then the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

In 2005, he won the New Zealand Herald Business Leader of the Year award and in 2008 received a World Class New Zealander award, from Kea New Zealand, for his work in business and finance.

The family asked for donations to be made to Sport Taranaki in lieu of flowers.

- By NZME News Service

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