ALLAN HUBBARD: A MAN OUT OF TIME

Virginia Green
Random House - $44

Allan Hubbard is a man who has been very much loved by thousands of South Islanders, but whose finance company South Canterbury Finance recently went into receivership - a huge blow to the country. Another of his funds, Aorangi Securities, is currently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office.

Well known for his generosity, his frugal lifestyle and his entrepreneurship, Hubbard has always been something of a folk hero and was held in very high esteem. This biography tells his story by way of fascinating anecdotes - from his childhood in the Depression through to his successful businesses such as Helicopters NZ, Scales Corporation and the recent very sad demise of South Canterbury Finance.
South Canterbury has been good to Allan and he has given back to the region on a grand scale, helping hundreds of young people onto farms, saving good farmers from bankruptcy and underwriting large-scale projects to bring water to the drought-prone region.

How did Allan fall from being the wealthiest man in the South Island to having no money for groceries after his assets were placed under statutory management? And how did the 'most trusted man in New Zealand' come under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office? How did the much-praised South Canterbury Finance fall into receivership?

I guess Allan Hubbard's story would always have made for an interesting read, but being released at such a pivotal time should make this both fascinating and poignant. I'm hoping to start reading it tomorrow.

Virginia Green (right) is a much respected writer who has previously written a biography of Sir Angus Tait.

There was an interesting piece about the book in the New Zealand Herald this morning, worth a read if you have't seen it already.