Community rallies behind 'Uncle Allan'

A march in support of Allan Hubbard and his wife Jean proceeded through Timaru's main street and finished up outside South Canterbury Finance. Photo / Sarah Ivey

When the call went out to rally in support of rich-lister and philanthropist Allan Hubbard, Timaru man Arthur knew he had to be there.

The 74-year-old braved a cold, miserable Timaru day to gather alongside hundreds of others yesterday because he, like so many in the town, feels a personal debt of gratitude to the man known to some locals as "Uncle Allan".

Mr Hubbard, the South Island's richest man, and wife Margaret have had their charitable trusts and investment company, Aorangi Securities Ltd, placed under statutory management as the Serious Fraud Office investigates alleged fraud.

But rather than creating doubt, the investigation has met with open hostility in the Hubbards' loyal hometown.

More than 30 years ago, Arthur, who asked his surname not be published, borrowed money from a company of Mr Hubbard's for his earthmoving business.

His life then fell into turmoil when he first lost a daughter to cancer at age 23, then another daughter to drowning. Arthur could not keep the business going, and went to Mr Hubbard.

"I owed him over $100,000, and he just wiped it. At the time, it was such a relief. And I thought to myself at the time, I will never forget this as long as I draw breath. He's been railroaded for something he has not done."

Everyone in Timaru, it seems, has their own story about how the Hubbards have helped lift the community. Whether it be a loan given by Mr Hubbard over a handshake that kept a business afloat, or a charity that has been able to provide for the needy through the estimated $200 million that the Hubbards have given away.

"There's probably hardly a business in South Canterbury, one way or another, that hasn't been influenced or helped by Allan Hubbard," says local businessman Brent Birchfield.

Several hundred marched through Timaru's main street yesterday, carrying placards and singing and cheering for Mr Hubbard. Though told not to speak to media while he is being investigated, Mr Hubbard, 82, told the Weekend Herald the unusually large show of support meant a lot to him.

Mr Hubbard lives in a modest home and drives a 1971 VW Beetle. He won't buy himself a new pair of shoes, but will give away $5 million to a needy charity after a 20- minute talk, says friend Albert Makary.

Health problems mean he is now reliant on a dialysis machine, which he bought himself so that he would not take up one from the health services that could be used by someone else in need.

Mrs Hubbard, who also goes by the name Jean, is similarly humble. Asked about the huge level of support for her husband, she told the Weekend Herald: "Of course, he has been here for a long time, and I suppose you build up a kind of a reputation after a while.

"It's very encouraging. We just feel very upset that [the investigation] is something that we would never have dreamed of happening. Well, no one would - just imagine them coming to your door in the morning."

The street march was very kind, but a little embarrassing.

"I don't know that it will make any difference, but we certainly appreciate people's feelings."

The phone at the Hubbards' home has been constantly ringing with well-wishers, while people are dropping off letters of support, flowers and food.

Since news about their predicament broke last weekend, the South Canterbury community has stood as one behind the Hubbards. On the streets of Timaru, it is the only topic of conversation.

Online, hundreds have joined websites in support of Mr Hubbard, while on the streets of Timaru homemade signs have sprung up showing similar support. At the town's movie theatre, a book on the counter gives people an opportunity to write messages of support for the Hubbards.

Timaru lawyer Edgar Bradley, a long-time friend of Mr Hubbard, doubts whether such a level of support would exist in many other communities in New Zealand. Mr Hubbard had been giving to his local community and beyond for 60 years, he said.

"Much of his charitable work has been without anybody knowing about it. He prefers to be a silent contributor. He has a remarkable judgment of who to help and what not to help. I think it all relates back to the days when he knew poverty. This is his way of making sure that others did not go through what he had to go through."

A spiritual man, Mr Hubbard has given up his time to South Canterbury's Presbyterian Support as finance chairman for more than 50 years. When the organisation needed money for a new resthome, hospital and retirement facility, he gave $1 million of his own money.