A knight to remember for Sir Peter

BEN WATSON

GREAT MATES: All Black coach Graham Henry helps Sir Peter celebrate his knighthood.

Relevant offers

It was a night just made for a Knight – and mate, did he enjoy it.

The Mad Butcher officially became Sir Peter Leitch at an investiture at Government House in Auckland last week then flew off to Ellerslie Racecourse to party the night away with family and friends.

Among those helping him celebrate were All Blacks coach Graham Henry, Warriors coach Ivan Cleary and former rugby league stars Monty Beetham, Logan Swann and Awen Guttenbeil.

Sir Peter was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business and philanthropy.

Family members, including his wife Lady Janice and daughters Julie and Angela, watched as he knelt to receive the honour from Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand.

Sir Peter was draped in a traditional Maori cloak made and gifted to him by close friends for the occasion.

The Bucklands Beach resident started his Mad Butcher chain of meat stores with a shop in Mangere but is also well known for his services to the community.

He chairs the Mad Butcher and Suburban Newspapers Trust, a charitable trust that has raised more than $1.5 million for causes throughout Auckland, and is an ambassador for Allergy New Zealand.

He's also involved with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Diabetes Auckland and Macular Degeneration New Zealand.

A staunch supporter of rugby league, he's worked tirelessly to raise the sport's profile and is the Warriors most visible – and vocal – fan.

Last Wednesday night was a chance for him to relax and enjoy the limelight at his own investiture party but in typical Mad Butcher style he turned the spotlight on the friends who've supported him down the years.

He thanked them all for turning out to help him party by quoting one of his signature sayings.

"Remember, the best gift you can give someone is the gift of your time," Sir Peter says.

- © Fairfax NZ News