Lifetime Achievement

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There are a few outstanding individuals who give of themselves freely, often over the course of their lives, to the cooperative and mutual community. This award recognises their dedication and vital contribution to helping the cooperative business model thrive in New Zealand.

Award Criteria

This Award is presented to individuals who, over the long term (10 plus years), have contributed significantly to the success of the cooperative model either to a Cooperative Business NZ member (of any type) or to the wider New Zealand cooperative sector.

This award is intended to not only recognise long service but also to recognise significant contributions made to developing the cooperative business model and/or to the broader New Zealand cooperative sector.

It ensures appropriate recognition is given to individuals who give of themselves freely, often over the course of their careers, to the member-owned community.

This award is open to anyone in the cooperative or mutual sector in New Zealand, regardless of membership status with Cooperative Business NZ.

This award was previously known as the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives’ Award.

Lifetime Achievement recognition 2025

David Scurr -Managing Director – Amalgamated Food Distributors; Director – Foodfirst Co-operative

Our Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual or individuals whose long-term commitment and leadership have strengthened New Zealand’s cooperative movement.

This year’s recipient, David Scurr, has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing co-operation through his South Island businesses (Amalgamated Food Distributors, Link FoodService, and Frozen Direct) and through his long service on the Foodfirst Co-operative Board.

He has championed innovation, mentorship, and collaboration across New Zealand’s food distribution sector, and his guidance has strengthened local businesses and shown how independent operators can thrive together through cooperation.

David led Foodfirst’s shift to wireless mobile technology and championed the new National Accounts Ordering Platform and Datafarm Project, transforming how members collaborate and compete nationally.

He is admired not only for his business acumen but for his mentorship, generosity, and community spirit, such as supporting youth programmes, local charities, and education initiatives that reflect the best of cooperative values.

Hall of Fame - past winners

  • John Tavendale

    Former Chair, NZ Blackcurrant Co-operative
    Lifetime Achievement Award 2024

  • Danny Hailes

    General Manager Livestock and Shareholder Services at Alliance
    Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

  • Murray King

    Chair at LIC
    Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

  • Dr Ants Roberts

    Chief Scientist at Ravensdown
    Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

  • Mark Wynne

    CEO at Ballance Agri-Nutrients
    Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

  • John DeBernardo

    Former Chair, NZPM
    Inaugural Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2022

  • Chris Black

    Former CEO, FMG
    Outstanding Contibution to Cooperatives 2022

  • Graeme Sutton

    Chair, Provelco
    Outstanding Contibution to Cooperatives 2021

  • Lauchie Johnston

    Former Chair, Farmlands
    Outstanding Contribrution to Cooperatives 2020

  • Professor Nicola Shadbolt

    Chair, Plant & Food; Climate Commissioner; Professor, Massey University
    Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives 2020

  • John Monaghan

    Former Chair, Fonterra
    Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives 2020

  • Rob Hewett

    Chair, Silver Fern Farms
    Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives 2019

  • Kim Degarnham

    Former GM, Employee and Support Services/Company Secretary, Foodstuffs SI
    Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives 2018

  • Brian Cameron

    Cooperative Pioneer
    Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives 2017

  • Phil McKendry

    Former Chair, Asburton Trading Society
    Outstanding Contribution to Cooperatives 2016