Sir Angus Tait KNZM, OBE (1919 - 2007)
Flying Kiwi Award 2003
- Our first Flying Kiwi Award winner was Sir Angus Tait
- Founder of Tait Electronics - a cornerstone of New Zealand's electronics industry based in Christchurch
- Angus Tait survived WW2, the Wahine Disaster and going into receivership to become one of the world's leading suppliers of mobile radio equipment
- Sir Angus continued to have an active role in the company up until a few months prior to his death
- Today Tait exports to 160 countries
- And retains its R&D and manufacturing base in Christchurch
Tribute to Sir Angus Tait by Don Rae
The following tribute was presented at the 2007 PricewaterhouseCoopers Hi-Tech Awards.
On the 7th of August 2007, the life journey of one of New Zealand's greatest technology entrepreneurs ended. After 88 years of dedication and toil, the journey of our first Flying Kiwi, Sir Angus Tait, came to its conclusion.
His story began in Oamaru in 1919 and his interest in electronics started there. After leaving school to work in a local radio store, he later served with the RAF during World War II, and it was at this time he met his wife to be, Hazel.
After the war, following a short spell as an itinerant candid street photographer, he went into business designing and building electronic products, including TVs, stereos, and of course mobile radio equipment. Eventually focusing only on radio, A. M. Tait Ltd produced some great technology but the business had little understanding of effective sales and marketing and eventually went into receivership in 1967.
Angus was a passenger on the Wahine disaster, and after escaping the wreck with his suitcase of samples, he still turned up to his presentation the next day at the New Zealand Post Office. However, he still didn't win the deal, and shortly after, his business hit the wall. However, he managed to survive and work through receivership and a new company, Tait Electronics, started in 1969.
Angus was asked then by his bank manager (having mortgaged his house at the age of 50) if he was going to make the same mistakes again, to which he replied, "No, I'm going to make entirely new ones." As Tait grew, so did Angus' own reputation. He was never keen on the limelight yet he was never backward in coming forward if something needed saying.
He wasn't overly motivated by the trappings of wealth either but did enjoy some toys, in particular aeroplanes and sports cars. A tale that can now be told was that he would memorise eye charts before being tested for his pilot's license, and it also seems he was not always the most co-operative with flight control.
The real essence of Angus can be summarised in two words; people and generosity.After his first business failure, Angus realised he needed people who could complement his own skills, and he believed strongly in the power of teamwork. Yet he didn't hold onto people so tight that he couldn't let go. If an employee came to him saying they were off to start their own venture he would encourage and support.
This generosity also spilled over to his support of the community and the industry. He refused to sell the business despite large offers in the 1980s. The Tait Foundation also donated millions of dollars over the years to a variety of causes; most recently to Canterbury University's Wireless Research Centre.
Michael Chick, Tait's current CEO said: "Angus was an immensely determined yet compassionate man, a great innovator and mentor for so many. He was humble and curious; never seeking the limelight but never shy of making his voice heard if it would help business and education in New Zealand."
Simply put, Angus was a great Kiwi, whose example will always live on and serve as an enduring inspiration to all of us. His optimism was boundless and each year, when he would announce the firm's annual results, he would always say "the best is yet to come."