Civil Contractors New Zealand farewells Jim Hardie, who passed away on 12 September 2018.
Mr Hardie acted as President of the Contractors’ Federation from 1986-1988. He was based in Northland, and prior to becoming President, he was the first Branch Secretary for the Contractors’ Federation’s Northland Branch, going on to become Branch Chair.
Mr Hardie was best known amongst contractors for his work as Managing Director of McBreen Jenkins Construction.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock said it was important for people like Mr Hardie who have made huge contributions to civil contracting in New Zealand to be remembered.
“While I didn’t know Mr Hardie personally, I have heard he was a major force in unifying the Contractors Federation, and a champion in standing up for civil contracting businesses at a time when Government performed much of the contract work internally.
“When people like Jim put their hands up to make a difference in this way, they take responsibility to make things better for New Zealand’s contractors, and for New Zealand as a whole. We owe him a debt of gratitude for carrying the torch for New Zealand’s contractors throughout his life.”
The family has indicated that in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent direct to the North Haven Hospice, PO Box 7050, Tikipunga, Whangarei 0112.
Communications to the family can be addressed to:
The Hardie Family
PO Box 4301, Kamo, Whangarei 0141.
A memory of Jim Hardie
–Morris McFall, Past President and Life Member, Civil Contractors New Zealand
I have had a long and special relationship with Jim and Pamela. In fact we visited each other on a regular basis and our connections always included a round of golf (which he preferred to win) and some time spent comparing our Company business models and reviewing our practices.
Jim and I spent many years on the Contractors Executive Council together and I had the greatest admiration for the unstinting provision of his personal time that was dedicated to the Federation.
As Managing Director of Mc Breen Jenkins he ran a very successful business at home base in Whangarei together with his involvement in Contractor issues. Jim did not suffer fools gladly and proved to be a very astute and fair President of the Federation for which he received a lot of respect. Immediately following his Presidency he was deservedly made a Life Member of the Federation.
I was elected Federation President immediately following Jim, but it came as a result of a late minute withdrawal of the incumbent Vice President, which meant that I did not have experience as Vice President to prepare me. Jim was most helpful to me in that transition, for which I was very grateful.
As Chair of the Construction Judging Panel, I invited Jim to join us and he proved to be a good contributor. In my last year on the Panel I had a serious family accident that I had to deal with almost immediately prior to the awards evening. Jim willingly took my role as Chair for the evening for which I am eternally grateful.
Over the last few years Jim’s health had deteriorated, but to the end he was proud of his contributions to society and loved to reminisce about contracting.
Jim was a great, humble man and a very special friend.
Read a profile of Mr Hardie as incoming President of Contractors Federation, first published in Contractor Magazine‘s August 1986 edition:
