Van Schaijik, who owns Aikmans Bar & Eatery and Brigittes in Merivale, was awarded the Dutch order of chivalry by the recently appointed Netherlands ambassador to New Zealand at a King’s Day party.
But Van Schaijik had no idea he was getting the award until it was announced at the event by ambassador Ard van der Vorst.
“When all my family, the ambassador and Mayor Phil Mauger turned up I thought they were just being sociable,” said Van Schaijik.
“I was pretty chuffed to get it,” he said. The Order of Orange-Nassau is a chivalric order dating back to 1892, open to any person of Dutch descent who has performed acts of special merit in society.
In conferring the award, van der Vorst acknowledged the contribution Van Schaijik has made to the Dutch community in New Zealand.
His achievements include supporting Dutch immigrants and helping to establish the Oranjehof Museum in Foxton, which tells the story of the Dutch immigrants in New Zealand.
Van Schaijik is managing director at John Jones Steel and a former chair of Steel Construction NZ – and a keen Crusaders supporter.
“Frank has undeniably been a cornerstone of the Dutch community in Christchurch for a long time now,” said van der Vorst.
Attendees included previous recipients of the award, former South Island honorary consul for the Netherlands, Gerald van Looy, and Netherlands Society Christchurch entertainment manager Annie van der Dussen.
“The medal is likely to take pride of place in a private memorabilia gallery I have planned,” said Van Schaijik.
By Tony Simons
