New Year Honours 2014: Bob Buckle

Bob Buckle. Photo / NZPA

Bob Buckle is one of New Zealand's leading economists and was principal adviser to the Treasury from 2000 until 2008, the same year he became pro vice-chancellor and dean of commerce at Victoria University's Business School. A former chairman of the economic committee of APEC, Buckle is appointed an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and education.

He is a life member and former president of the NZ Association of Economists.

He also set up and funded a prize to help young people into university, which is awarded to one student from Whangarei Boys' High School and another from Whangarei Girls' High School each year. Buckle attended Whangarei Boys in the early 1960s.

He also established a scholarship to fund international mental health experts to come to New Zealand following the sudden death of his son in 2003.

Buckle was chairman of the Tax Working Group, which reviewed the country's tax system and contributed to reform. He has authored more than 100 publications.

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.