KiwiRail chairman Brian Corban has died aged 75.
He passed away on Sunday at Auckland Hospital with family at his side.
Corban served as chair of KiwiRail Holdings Limited and the New Zealand Railways Corporation since July 2019, following a year as deputy chair of KiwiRail.
He also gained extensive governance experience during his time as chair of Genesis, Radio New Zealand, and the foundational chair of TVNZ.
He served his community through chair, trustee and director roles with the Melanesian Trust Board, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland City Mission, as well as being a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and a pillar of the Lebanese and West Auckland communities.
He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009 for his services to the community.
Corban was also known for his role in the New Zealand wine industry. His grandfather Assid Abraham Corban came to New Zealand from Lebanon in 1892 and settled in Henderson, west Auckland, in 1902 when he started Corban’s Wines.
“I know Brian was seen as a transformative leader within KiwiRail, well respected for his wisdom, honesty and sense of humour,” State Owned Enterprises Minister David Clark says.
“Mr Corban selflessly devoted much of his life to serving the community and his legacy will endure.
“I offer my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time,” Clark says.
KiwiRail deputy chair Sue McCormack is currently serving as acting chair.
*A service to celebrate Corban’s life will be held at St Michaels Anglican Church, Henderson, on Friday, May 7 at 1pm.
