Roger Bridge, a much loved, and long-serving member of the National Party and former chair of its Canterbury West Coast region, has died.
Bridge was widely respected within party circles for his dedication, loyalty, and tireless commitment to regional organisation and grassroots politics.
He served on the National Party Board and held the position of Canterbury West Coast chair for many years, where he was instrumental in supporting local candidates and strengthening the party’s presence throughout the South Island.
Roger Bridge with then Governor-General of New Zealand was Dame Patsy Reddy 2017
In recognition of his public service, Bridge received a Queen’s Service Medal in the 2017 New Year Honours.
A Christchurch businessman and company director, Bridge had a background in property investment and management.
Roger Bridge at speaking engagement at a function held by Gerry Brownlee in 2017
He chaired the Rātā Foundation (formerly the Canterbury Community Trust), the largest philanthropic organisation in the South Island, with an endowment fund of more than $500 million.
Under his leadership, the Foundation established a $25 million Special Fund to support communities affected by the Canterbury earthquakes.
Bridge was also a popular commentator on NewstalkZB Christchurch, for several years following the earthquakes.
Gerry Brownlee entertaining a large audience at the Regional meeting in Christchurch. Roger Bridge hosted the event. 2014
Long-time friend, Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee told chrislynchmedia.com “Roger was a described by the Listener columnist Jane Cliffon as true Canterbury Gentleman.
“He had escorted her around the city viewing our 2008 campaign. It was a most appropriate description. He was a self made bussiness man who pioneered storage facilities under a number of mast head names.”
Brownlee said he was “Always impeccably dress and devoted to jaguars. He was a most loyal friend for more than 30 years.
“His generosity was legendary and many will atest to that. He was on the first working group as a church appointee on the original Cathedral restoration committee. After a time as regional vice chair he became our national party regional chair in 2001 and joined the party board in 2003 serving in both rolls to 2020.
Political opposites but respectful and kind. Former Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore, and National Party Canterbury Westland President Roger Bridge, with Chris Lynch on a panel discussion in 2015
“Roger had a great sense of humor and fun. He was a good friend always enquiring about my family and others. He was very proud of his own extended family. I enjoyed his company very much as his knowledge of political history and equally bussiness history particularly here in Canterbury was prodigious. Roger had a magnificent library and was one of the most well read people I’ve met. We regularly spent time sitting and talking solving the problems of the world. He was a good friend a great sounding board and he enjoyed cigars as do I. I will very much miss him” Brownee said.
Roger Bridge with supporters and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey in 2018
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said “He was a humble man with a real love for Christchurch. There will be many city leaders, past and present, not only in politics but across business and the public sector who owe a lot of gratitude to Roger for his wise counsel and loyal support.
Roger was old school, a real gentlemen who had a great sense of humour. We’ll miss him a lot.”
Bridge also served as a director of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and Quotable Value and was a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
He co-founded Allstor Self Storage Ltd in 1994 and held trustee roles with the Christchurch Arts Festival and the Re:Start The Heart Foundation, which ran the Re:Start container mall in central Christchurch.
He was a key supporter of initiatives aimed at boosting the city’s post-quake recovery and also served as a trustee of the Te Papa Foundation.
