Happy Birthday to you, Sir Howard

By MEGAN LACEY in Rotorua
Sir Howard Morrison has been in show business for 50 years and today the Te Arawa crooner reaches another milestone - his 70th birthday.

"To be blatantly honest, it's just a number. What you do notice is you are not as fit as you were when you were 50 or 60," he told the Daily Post.

His birthday bash will be held on Saturday in his home at the Rotorua village of Ohinemutu and guests will include members of the Howard Morrison Quartet, Wi Wharekura, Gerry Merito, Tai Eru, Terry Morrison, film-maker Don Selwyn and Temuera Morrison representing his father, Laurie.

Sir Howard said there would be "plenty of singing and short speeches".

He has had a long and distinguished showbiz career since forming the Howard Morrison quartet in 1956 but he said his biggest highlight was taking part in the Ride for Life event. In 1990, Sir Howard rode on horseback from Invercargill to Cape Reinga to raise both the profile and finances of the Life Education Trust. The feat took 45 days and raised $1.5 million for the foundation.

He said another highlight was receiving his Knighthood, also in 1990.

The ceremony was held at Tamatekapua in Ohinemutu, the first time the presentation was made on a marae.

The 50th anniversary concert next month, A Knight with a Dame, to celebrate Sir Howard's 50 years as an iconic New Zealand entertainer, is set to be his musical highlight.



Appearing with him will be opera star Dame Malvina Major, also celebrating 50 years since her first paid engagement.

"We will probably tour the show over the next year because my celebration is going from August to August."

Celebrating 50 years in the industry and turning 70 are just "two of many firsts" Sir Howard has been looking forward to reaching.

"There's still a lot to do. I want to be as much of an influence as I can.

"If you realise that you have an influence you should use it ... We must make maximum use of creating a better environment.

"Music is my world but it's not my life.

"Nurturing our young people is more important because I learned a long time ago the biggest return you can get on any investment is people. They are the legacy."

Another highlight in his career is establishing the Sir Howard Morrison Education Foundation to support future leaders.

The foundation was gifted a $1m endowment which Sir Howard said was planned to be dispersed at $50,000 a year for the next 20 years.

Although Sir Howard has spent much of his life in the limelight, he admits he initially didn't want to make a fuss about his 70th.

"I was reluctant to have [the party] but my daughter and wife said not to be selfish and talked me into it."