Ballance Farm Environment Awards: Waikato farmer Gordon Stephenson's legacy celebrated
If Waikato farmer and conservationist Gordon
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NZ Herald
09-08-2025
- NZ Herald
Peter Lester, sailing legend and iconic America's Cup commentator, dies aged 70
More than anything, Lester had a deep love and fascination for the sport, which saw him involved on so many levels, including a period as an Olympic selector and coach, as well as Yachting New Zealand high performance manager. Born in Christchurch in 1954, Lester learnt his trade sailing a P Class on Lyttleton harbour, encouraged by his father Gordon. He made his name at the 1977 OK Dinghy Worlds, where he claimed the title off Takapuna beach, at the time just the second Kiwi to claim a world title in a one-design class, which saw him crowned the New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year. He had already competed in the Laser Worlds in 1974 as a 20-year-old and finished second in the OK Worlds in Finland in 1975, while he was selected as a reserve for the New Zealand sailing team that went to the 1976 Olympics in Canada. An expected Olympic campaign in 1980 didn't materialise – due to New Zealand joining the United States-driven boycott of the event in Russia – but Lester was already making waves in other areas. He was part of a team that finished second in the One Ton Cup in 1977, competed in the Admirals Cup (1981 and 1984) and took out the Kenwood Cup in 1986. The following year Lester grabbed a slice of history at the Admiral's Cup, part of the first New Zealand team to take out the prestigious trophy, at the fifth attempt. Lester was helmsman on Propaganda, which was the top individual boat in the team event and was later named New Zealand yachtsman of the year for the second time. The affable Lester was tactician on Michael Fay's big boat challenge in 1988, then engaged as coach for the Spanish team during the 1992 regatta in San Diego. He was also tactician for Chris Dickson's Tag Heuer team in 1995 – the second New Zealand challenge in that event – which performed well despite a limited budget and other challenges. Lester was also part of victorious teams at the One Ton Cup on three separate occasions. A major turning point in Lester's life came at the 1992 America's Cup. When the Spanish syndicate's participation in the Louis Vuitton Cup ended, Lester joined the TVNZ commentary team and was an instant hit with viewers, with his sharp analysis, affable nature and clear communication. Peter Lester. Photo / TVNZ That was the start of a broadcasting association with the Cup that stretched over three decades, as he became arguably the most respected analyst in the sport and a mentor to many. He also covered numerous other sailing events, including Olympic campaigns, round the world races and the world match racing tour. He was high performance manager at Yachting New Zealand and Olympics coach for the 1996 and 2000 Games, while also later consulting to several other nations. Above all, Lester was one of the most likeable and popular figures in the sailing community, always with a ready smile and a mentor to so many. 'He loved people,' recalled a close friend. 'He was always happy to share his knowledge and help people.' Lester's nature was best summed up by a story from Barcelona. At the end of the regatta, he decided not to attend the glamourous official prizegiving, instead opting to walk back to his accommodation for a quiet night after a busy few months. On the way home, he was recognised by a group of Kiwi builders on a corporate trip to Spain for Cup, who insisted he join them for a drink. 'He didn't know any of them but had a great night with them, completely away from the limelight. That was how Pete was….a true man of the people, as well as a titan of the sport.' Despite his many commitments, Lester always placed the highest importance on family life. He is survived by his wife Susie (they were married for more than 40 years), their three sons and four grandchildren. Lester was 70. Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America's Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
Scoop
19-06-2025
- Scoop
Key Match-up For Pulse Against Steel
Back-to-back losses have left Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse on wobbly ground as they prepare for a high-stakes rematch against the Southern Steel in ANZ Premiership netball action in Wellington on Monday. An out-of-sorts Pulse have slipped to third spot on the points table and now have the Magic hot on their heels, poised one point behind with just four rounds remaining as the battle for a place in the Finals Series (top three) gathers momentum. ``We've all got the fuel to be better,'' Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon said. ``It's always said that losses can be beneficial, that you can improve and get better from them but obviously, it's a shorter season, so there's not a lot of time to work things out. ``I'm confident that we can get out of this slump. The main thing is that everyone's mindset is looking ahead and how we can be better. ``We know how good we can be when we're all on and we've seen that in a couple of games, so it's just finding that spark again.'' One real positive for the Pulse has been the form of shooter Amelia Walmsley who has not missed a shot in her previous two matches and sits on top of the league for number of goals scored and highest percentage, at 97 percent accuracy. ``When we get her the ball, she's getting it in, so it's how we get her the ball more, which means looking after the ball, less losses as an attacking unit and really working on how we can get her that 100 percent ball because the stats tell a story there,'' Gordon said. Having a slow start to the season because of injury, Gordon is an influential figure in the midcourt with her big engine and relentless hustle. She has a strong connection with her shooter in providing near-perfect feeds but has been a little frustrated in working her way back. ``I feel like I'm doing okay,'' she said. ``It's been a slow climb…..I've been on managed loads for a bit but it's coming and I just need time under the belt. The positive thing is that each game it's getting a bit better. ``The vision into Amelia is going really well but I want to get a bit more oomph in that defence part and going for things. I'm confident that will come with more time in training, which has also been a bit on and off (in terms of participation).'' Making the bold decision to move to Wellington from Auckland in her first year out of school has proved life-changing for Gordon. With the aim of playing for Central Manawa in the National Netball League (NNL) and joining the Police Force, Gordon quickly found her feet and her way into the Silver Ferns and as such, a life on the beat, was quickly shelved. ``The ride has been crazy,'' she said. ``Coming down here playing NNL, working three jobs…I knew it was going to be tough work…….I never would have thought I would be in the Silver Ferns as a 20-year-old (debuting at 21), just because of how my story went and how I had to move so much to be where I am. ``I've had to work hard for it. It didn't just get given to me and where I am now, I never would have thought at 25, I'd be one of the experienced ones at the Pulse, let alone in the Silver Ferns as well. ``It's definitely been tough but I've loved it and wouldn't change it. The Pulse took a shot with me. I was never a big name, never on the wanted list. I put myself here and it was a case of, `watch me, I'll show you what I've got kind of thing'. And they really did and stuck with me through the whole time. ``They have made me the player I am today and I'm always grateful.'' For now, Gordon's got a wary on the Steel in what's shaping as a pivotal match for the Pulse. ``They had a great win last week and they probably weren't proud of their performance that they put up against us the last time we played (70-45 loss), so we know they'll be coming,'' she said. ``They're probably going to come out with something different, so we also need a plan B but we know what we need to do. We're excited but we do know that they're going to come out all guns blazing.''
NZ Herald
14-06-2025
- NZ Herald
Ballance Farm Environment Awards: Farming and science run in Gordon Stephenson's family
The Gordon Stephenson Trophy will be presented to one of the 11 Ballance Farm Environment Awards Regional Supreme Winners during the National Sustainability Showcase at Tākina, Wellington, on June 18. Here, the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust reflects on the man behind the trophy and how his love of farming
