The 71-year-old retired eye surgeon admitted possessing methamphetamine and a meth pipe. Video / Aja Lethaby / Mike Scott
Former Remuera eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne is no longer a member of the Northern Club, the Herald understands.
Last month, some members of the exclusive club spoke out about wanting Polkinghorne - who has been a member of the club since 1993 - to be blackballed.
Now, an insidesource who doesn’t want to be named has confirmed the ophthalmologist’s name is no longer on the club’s official list of members.
“We’re not sure if he resigned or was biffed out. But it turns out our membership portal allows us to look up members of the Northern Club and his name has gone,” the source said.
A club member said Philip Polkinghorne is an "embarrassment" to the club. Photo / Supplied.
The Herald asked Northern Club president Dr Arthur Morris this week whether Polkinghorne had been expelled from the club and he declined to comment, saying club memberships and processes are private matters.
No one the Herald spoke to was able to confirm whether Polkinghorne was asked to leave, or left of his own accord.
A businessperson and club member who wished to remain anonymous told the Herald, ”About time. Polkinghorne is an embarrassment to the club.”
Philip Polkinghorne has been sentenced to 150 hours of community service for possessing 37.7g of methamphetamine and a P pipe. Photo / Supplied.
On Friday Philip Polkinghorne, 71, was sentenced to 150 hours community service after pleading guilty to methamphetamine related charges.
The Crown argued Philip Polkinghorne was living a double life with Madison Ashton, his former mistress, and using methamphetamine. Photo / Supplied.
Following the trial, Lady Deborah Chambers KC saidPolkinghorne’s continued membership of the Northern Club would lower its reputation.
She told the Herald in October Polkinghorne had breached rule 43 of the club, which states “If any member behaves either in or out of the clubhouse in a manner detrimental to the interests of the club, the committee shall be entitled to resolve to render such member liable to expulsion”.
“The evidence at the trial indicated he is not a suitable person to be a member,” Lady Chambers said.
Lady Deborah Chambers KC previously told the Herald if Philip Polkinghorne walked into the club, he would not be welcome and she would leave. Photo / Supplied.
Lady Chambers said if the eye doctor walked into the club, he would not be welcome, and she would leave.
“I’m sure people would stand up and walk out if he comes in. I don’t want to have dinner with someone like him” she said.
The Northern Club began as a gentlemen’s club in 1869 and opened its doors to women in 1990.
According to its website, the club has more than 2000 members from the professional and business communities. The website claims admittance is not based on gender, wealth or ancestry.
The Northern Club has more than 2000 members from the professional and business communities. Photo / Richard Robinson
The Herald understands the annual membership fee is $1890 plus voluntary levies of about $800, with the nomination process taking about three months.
Candidates require a proposer, a seconder and three supporters who are all members of the club.
Jim Farmer KC told the Herald he had just become a partner at Russell McVeagh when he joined the Northern Club in 1975.
He believed Polkinghorne should not continue to be a member based on his drug convictions.
“I think it’s good he’s gone, he shouldn’t be a member.”
Carolyne Meng-Yee is an Auckland-based investigative journalist who won Best Documentary at the Voyager Media Awards in 2022. She worked for the Herald on Sunday from 2007-2011 and rejoined the Herald in 2016 after working as an award-winning current affairs producer at TVNZ’s 60 Minutes, 20/20 and Sunday.
