John Street, godfather of Fosters - R.I.P.

[ex Elly 197]

The New Zealand maritime community is mourning the loss of one of its leading lights with the passing of John Street MNZM.
John was the man behind historic Fosters ship chandlery but was probably best known for lobbying against Robert Muldoon’s boat tax in the 1970s.
He served as the chairman of the Boating Industries Association and was a founding trustee of the New Zealand International Yachting Trust (now known as the NZL Sailing Foundation).
He established the New Zealand Maritime Museum and was also the founder and patron of the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust, taking a keen interest in the restoration of many yachts from yesteryear. 
John was the vice-patron of the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta committee and introduced the famed Tug Boat race at the event; and was a life member of both the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) and Yachting New Zealand. 
In 1996, John was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to yachting, and in 2004 he received the Sir Bernard Ferguson Yachtsman of the Year award.