Fisher, Sir Woolf

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FISHER, SIR WOOLF

FISHER, SIR WOOLF (1912–1975), New Zealand industrialist and philanthropist. Born in Paraparaumu, he founded with his brother-in-law, M. Paykel, the firm of Fishel and Paykel, which developed into one of the largest manufacturers of refrigerators and home appliances in New Zealand. Fisher became one of the Dominion's leading industrialists. In 1959 he was appointed by the government to lead the New Zealand trade mission to Australia. From 1960 he headed New Zealand Steel Ltd., a vast enterprise, manufacturing steel from iron sands. Fisher helped to found the New Zealand Outward Bound Movement for the physical and moral training of youth. Among his other philanthropic undertakings was the establishment of the Woolf Fisher Scholarship Trust enabling New Zealand teachers to travel overseas. He was also a bloodstock breeder and owner of some of New Zealand's finest racehorses. Fisher was knighted in 1964 for his contributions to business life and philanthropy.

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Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (2003), online edition.

[Alexander Astor]

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Fisher, Sir Woolf

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