One of the most important roles that any member of the New Zealand Association of Economists can perform for the association is that of editor of New Zealand Economic Papers (NZEP), the association’s flagship journal. The association is delighted to honour Gary Hawke, a former NZEP editor, with the award of Life Membership of the New Zealand Association of Economists.

Gary became the fourth editor of NZEP in 1974 after a number of years of involvement with the association. He edited four volumes of the journal through to 1977. He maintained the high standard of the journal that had been set by his predecessor, Bert Brownlie. Many of New Zealand’s top academic economists, econometricians and policy-makers published articles in the Papers during this period. Many began their publications career with articles published in NZEP while Gary was editor. As well as editing the journal, Gary actively contributed a large number of book reviews. Gary also served during this period as a Council member of the New Zealand Association of Economists. His involvement with the Association has continued since then as an active participant in the Association’s annual conferences.

Gary has also served the community of economists in New Zealand through many other avenues. Contributions have included his academic roles at Victoria University of Wellington where he has served as Professor of Economics and Economic History, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, and Head of the School of Government. Other roles have included Chairman of the New Zealand Planning Council, member of the Planning Council’s Economic Monitoring Group, Chair of the Experts Advisory Group on Tertiary Education Reforms and Chair of the New Zealand Committee of the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council.

Gary is only the second person to be honoured both as a Life Member and as a Distinguished Fellow of the Association (which he received in 2005). The Distinguished Fellow award recognised his impressive quality, quantity and range of publications in fields covering, inter alia, economic history and public policy.

It is, however, his service to the Association that is the subject of this award. In making the award of Life Membership to Gary Hawke, the NZAE Council recognises the sterling support he has given the Association over a number of years as an Editor of NZEP, Council member and long-term active supporter of the Association.