Business leader who challenged Government dies at 85

George Stuart Blanshard, who was chairman of Wilson and Horton for eight years when it owned the New Zealand Herald, and was not afraid to use the post to criticise the Government, has died. He was 85.

Stuart Blanshard spent 44 years with the Bank of New Zealand, including time as the regional manager for Britain and Europe.

He joined the Wilson and Horton board in 1981. As chairman he questioned the rules governing overseas investment and attacked the Government in 1990 over its economic performance and Budget.

Former Wilson and Horton managing director Michael Horton said Blanshard oversaw the introduction of the new printing presses at Ellerslie and brought "common sense with a capital C" to the boardroom.