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Lloyd Morrison - Source: Fairfax
Prime Minister John Key has led tributes for businessman and Wellington Phoenix co-owner Lloyd Morrison, who has died following a battle against leukaemia.
Morrison was the founder of Wellington-based Infratil, an infrastructure investment company which has a controlling shareholding in Wellington Airport, the local bus company and recently bought the Shell service station network in New Zealand.
He returned to a United States cancer research centre in October last year to continue his battle against leukaemia.
Key said Morrison was "totally passionate" about New Zealand and was not afraid of voicing strong opinions.
"He led the campaign to change the flag, was a strong supporter of the arts, and will be remembered for his part in saving the Phoenix," said Key.
"Lloyd threw everything he had at his illness, as he threw everything he had at his life."
Key said his condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues at Infratil.
Labour's deputy leader and MP for Wellington Central, Grant
Robertson, said Morrison was a Wellingtonian with a passion for
seeing his city, region and country prosper.
"His contribution to and investment in New Zealand's infrastructure
and economic development was massive," Robertson said.
"He was a strong supporter of developing a distinct national identity, and will be remembered by many for his campaign to change the New Zealand flag."
Robertson said even though they did not always agree on economic issues, he enjoyed every conversation he had with Morrison.
Dealing with cancer
It was understood Morrison was being treated for a recurrence of acute myeloid leukaemia at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Morrison spent most of 2009 at the centre, trying to beat the aggressive cancer in his blood.
At the time he said the near- death experience had forced him to refocus and trim his business hours to part-time.
"I'm healthier than I was but I've got a long way to go. My No 1 priority is getting well."
This led to former Telecom executive Marko Bogoievski taking over as Infratil's chief executive.
Last year Morrison became part of the consortium of local businessmen who pledged cash to ensure the survival of the Phoenix football club.
Morrison's career
In May 2011 Morrison was given a lifetime achievement award at the Gold Awards at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington.
In 1988, aged 30, he founded the investment bank that would create Infratil. From humble beginnings it grew to own assets including airports in Wellington and Britain, power companies on both sides of the Tasman, and more recently, the Shell petrol stations in New Zealand.
Morrison was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009, the year he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
He founded a musical charity and a campaign to change New
Zealand's flag.
