James Muir Cameron Fletcher
Encyclopedia
Sir James Muir Cameron Fletcher ONZ
(25 December 1914 – 29 August 2007), often known as Jim or JC Junior, was a New Zealand
industrialist known for heading Fletcher Construction
, one of the countries' largest firms. His father, Sir James Fletcher (Senior)
, founded the company in 1908.
, New Zealand
on Christmas Day 1914. He was James Senior's second son.
In 1942, the year Sir James became head of Fletcher Holdings, he married Vaughan Gunthorp, his office assistant. They had three children - Jim, Angus Fletcher and Hugh Fletcher
. Their eldest son Jim was killed by an intruder at his Bay of Plenty
bach
(holiday home) on New Year's Eve 1993. Angus married Christine Fletcher
, former Minister of the Crown and Mayor of Auckland
, and Hugh now runs Fletcher Holdings.
in 1935, Sir James senior established an enduring friendship with the government, leading to Fletchers' building some of the first state houses in New Zealand. When James senior was seconded by the government in 1942, James junior, took over the running of Fletcher Holdings. At the time he was just 27 years old. Among his achievements was the forestry joint venture with the Holland National Government
in the 1950s to build the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company mill at Kawerau. Sir James was chairman of Fletcher Holdings from 1972–1981 and was president of the new Fletcher Challenge
conglomerate from 1981. He resigned as a director of the company in 1990.
He was knighted
in 1980.
Order of New Zealand
The Order of New Zealand is the highest honour in New Zealand's honours system, created "to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity"...
(25 December 1914 – 29 August 2007), often known as Jim or JC Junior, was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
industrialist known for heading Fletcher Construction
Fletcher Construction
Fletcher Construction Limited is a leading New Zealand construction company. It is owned by Fletcher Building Limited and has three main divisions:*Building and interiors *South Pacific...
, one of the countries' largest firms. His father, Sir James Fletcher (Senior)
James Fletcher (industrialist)
Sir James Fletcher was a New Zealand industrialist who founded Fletcher Construction, one of the country's largest firms. His son, Sir James Fletcher Junior, continued to build the corporation.-Early life:...
, founded the company in 1908.
Early life and family
Fletcher was born at DunedinDunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on Christmas Day 1914. He was James Senior's second son.
In 1942, the year Sir James became head of Fletcher Holdings, he married Vaughan Gunthorp, his office assistant. They had three children - Jim, Angus Fletcher and Hugh Fletcher
Hugh Fletcher
Hugh Fletcher is a New Zealand businessman and former Chancellor of the University of Auckland.-Early life:Hugh was the second son born to Sir James Fletcher and Vaughan, Lady Fletcher....
. Their eldest son Jim was killed by an intruder at his Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty , often abbreviated to BOP, is a region in the North Island of New Zealand situated around the body of water of the same name...
bach
Bach (New Zealand)
A bach is a small, often very modest holiday home or beach house. Alternatively called a crib, they are an iconic part of New Zealand history and culture, especially in the middle of the 20th century, where they symbolized the beach holiday lifestyle that was becoming more accessible to the...
(holiday home) on New Year's Eve 1993. Angus married Christine Fletcher
Christine Fletcher
Christine Fletcher, QSO is an Auckland Council councillor and also prominent for her former New Zealand politics positions, both in Parliament and as Mayor of Auckland City. She was the second woman to serve as mayor of Auckland...
, former Minister of the Crown and Mayor of Auckland
Mayor of Auckland
The Mayor of Auckland is the directly elected head of the Auckland Council, the local government authority for the Auckland region in New Zealand...
, and Hugh now runs Fletcher Holdings.
Fletcher Construction
In 1937 Sir James joined his fathers' construction business. Following the election of the First Labour GovernmentFirst Labour Government of New Zealand
The First Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1935 to 1949. It set the tone of New Zealand's economic and welfare policies until the 1980s, establishing a welfare state, a system of Keynesian economic management, and high levels of state intervention...
in 1935, Sir James senior established an enduring friendship with the government, leading to Fletchers' building some of the first state houses in New Zealand. When James senior was seconded by the government in 1942, James junior, took over the running of Fletcher Holdings. At the time he was just 27 years old. Among his achievements was the forestry joint venture with the Holland National Government
First National Government of New Zealand
The First National Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 1949 to 1957. It was a conservative government best remembered for its role in the 1951 waterfront dispute. It also began the repositioning of New Zealand in the cold war environment...
in the 1950s to build the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company mill at Kawerau. Sir James was chairman of Fletcher Holdings from 1972–1981 and was president of the new Fletcher Challenge
Fletcher Challenge
Fletcher Challenge is a now defunct multinational corporation from New Zealand, formed in 1981 by the merger of Fletcher Holdings, Challenge Corporation and Tasman Pulp and Paper...
conglomerate from 1981. He resigned as a director of the company in 1990.
He was knighted
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1980.