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Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Sue Berry: A life full of flair and adventure
SUE BERRY Punctuality was one of the principles Sue Berry inherited from her parents. So when legendary British actor Sir Michael Caine asked the young New Zealand physiotherapist out on a date in London and then turned up late, she promptly gave him his marching orders. That is just one example of how Mrs Berry's sparkling personality opened the doors to some extraordinary encounters during a life which has aptly been described as a "cracker". Mrs Berry, who died in Queenstown on April 6, aged 81, was the co-founder of Oamaru business success story Whitestone Cheese, a devoted wife of 55 years, culinary queen, formidable hostess — equally comfortable serving the prime minister as she was a shearing gang — and a passionate lover of life. Susan Gibson Black was born, along with her identical twin sister Elizabeth, on March 2, 1944, at the El Nido maternity hospital in Dunedin, coincidentally the same place where her future husband Bob was born three months later. Her father, George, was a stock agent for Dalgetys while her mother, Mabel, was the daughter of a pioneering Taieri Plain dairy farmer. When Mr Black was transferred to Whangarei, the twins attended the local primary school where lessons were in Māori. After several years in the North Island, Mr Black was appointed Dalgetys' branch manager in Dunedin and the family returned to the South, the girls only realising then what shoes were as they had been barefoot all their young lives. Enrolled at Columba College, the Black twins began to stamp their mark at school, excelling in tennis and netball and creating confusion for both referees and players alike trying to establish which twin was marking whom. Those activities continued into their teenage years when many a young suitor was a little unsure as to who he actually was on a date with. After completing their studies in physiotherapy and home science respectively, Mrs Berry and her twin sister — known as Lib — sailed to the United Kingdom on their OE in 1965. While Lib later returned home, her sister spent five years in the UK and Europe and some of the friendships made were to be life-long. Working for the Minney family at their spa in East Grinstead, she was embraced by the family and had many nights dining with their guests. One night, seated beside a rather portly fellow, she politely asked where he came from and what he did for a job. It was Reginald Maudling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Rubeigh (RJ) Minney, a celebrated British film producer, journalist, playwright, editor and author, wrote to Mrs Berry until his death in 1979. Such was Minney's renown that former Labour prime minister Sir Harold Wilson read the lesson at his funeral while Dame Virginia McKenna — who starred in the 1958 British war drama film Carve Her Name With Pride , based on a book written by Minney — read a poem from the film. From there, Mrs Berry moved to Florence, driven by a desire to learn Italian and was quickly offered a job by a hospital superintendent as there was a shortage of physiotherapists in the city. She soon spoke fluent Italian, with a Florentine accent, and embraced the lifestyle of the city, the Italian people, and the country's food and wine. She socialised with Florence elite, including the Ferragamo family of the luxury shoe brand, and she thought she might live there for the rest of her life. But fate intervened when Lib Black's boyfriend was diagnosed with cancer and she returned to New Zealand to support her sister — and a young stock agent called Bob Berry was eagerly awaiting her return. Mr Berry, whose boss was George Black, had spent a week in Florence with Susan Black during his own OE. Travelling by himself, he had taken advantage of contacts around the world. In his haste to see her in her small apartment in a very narrow street, he had opened the taxi door as another car drove past, wiping the door off the taxi and causing much consternation with the Italian-speaking taxi driver. A nearby lawyer managed to extract him from the debacle and the young pair enjoyed visiting art galleries, dining out and a weekend on the Mediterranean. Following her arrival back in Dunedin, a whirlwind romance followed and, after a three-month engagement, the couple married at the Roslyn Presbyterian Church in Dunedin. Speaking at a celebration of his wife's life, Mr Berry recalled how his new bride was in for "a few culture shocks" when they embarked on their honeymoon to Te Anau. Arriving for dinner at the THC Hotel and wearing the latest in fashion from Florence with a slightly see-through top, she was told by the maitre d' — "you can't come in here dressed like that. Go and put a cardy on". Settling into married life in Dunedin, Mrs Berry got a job as a physiotherapist at the hospital and when her husband took over the Berry family's run at Waikouaiti, she was promoted to cook, replacing her father-in-law, Norman. Cooking on a coal range in a hut with no electricity, she decided to treat the shearers, making her own pasta for a dish of lasagne. When the shearers duly arrived at noon, one took a bite of lasagne and flicked the entire dish out the door to the waiting dogs, much to the mortification of the cook. But she had the last laugh. Several shearings later, a huge roast awaited the shearers until Mr Berry's mainstay dog Dick grabbed it off the table and took it outside. Mrs Berry retrieved the lump of meat, extracted the strands of tussock, trimmed it a bit and served it for lunch. "She was getting into the swing of things," Mr Berry said, laughing. In 1972, the couple welcomed their daughter Vanessa and, about a year later, the family moved to Puketeraki, in East Otago, and Mr Berry embarked on a full-time farming career. Son Simon arrived in 1974. Mr Berry described the period his family spent at Karitane as "golden years", while Simon berry said he and his sister had a fantastic free-range upbringing. In 1982, the Berrys moved to Maheno to farm at Monte Cristo and Mrs Berry relocated her physiotherapy work to Oamaru Hospital. She also worked at interior design business Winj. She continued to cook for shearers and farm workers. Farming in North Otago in the 1980s through drought and recessions was tough and, in 1987, the couple diversified from their farming operation by opening a cheese business. From its beginnings in a converted garage, Whitestone Cheese was initially "a pretty slow burn", Mr Berry recalled, but it slowly grew and Mrs Berry was in her element, fronting its stalls at wine and food festivals throughout the country and later in the United States. She was also passionate about promoting the wider Waitaki district and served as chairwoman of the Waitaki Tourism Association. When the business moved to a purpose-built factory, a cafe was added and her skills came to the fore running that side of the business. Mr Berry described her as an "extraordinary foodie and a fantastic cook". One of her proudest moments was being inducted into the Columba College Business Hall of Fame in 2012. Coincidentally, she was inducted alongside professional director Sarah Ottrey who is now chairwoman of Whitestone Cheese. The business, now managed by Simon Berry and employing more than 80 staff, recently won the supreme award at the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards for its Monte Cristo cheese, an accolade which Simon dedicated to his mother. Bob Berry said his wife's hostess skills were legendary and she was also very adaptable. When former prime minister Sir Robert Muldoon was in Oamaru for a National Party function and the gathering ended up at the Berrys' home, Mr Muldoon asked for a screwdriver cocktail. Devoid of the ingredients required, Mrs Berry mixed him a gin and Jungle Juice, the latter borrowed from their young daughter, and he came back for more. For 33 years, Mrs Berry was a member of a book group known affectionately as "Worms", its members drawn from all corners of the Waitaki district, and, for the last 10 years, also a member of the Dorothy Browns Book Club in Arrowtown. Fellow Worm Sandy Cameron described her as a "true bookworm" who had impressive literary knowledge across a wide range of books and authors. "She literally lit up the room at gatherings and sparkled with wit and humour." Mr and Mrs Berry shifted to Lake Hayes, near the mountains where the family spent many winters skiing. A year ago, Mrs Berry's health deteriorated but her husband — who described her as his "rock" — said her positive attitude right up to her death made it so much easier for her family. "She had no regrets, having lived a fantastic life to the full". Simon Berry said his mother could be summed up in two words — great taste. "The great taste she had in life whether that be her choice of colours and interior decorating, meals, destinations, drinks or friends. She always had and applied such nice taste," he said. And in her final months, she left her family with another valuable and final lesson, which was grace. Sipping a much-loved Negroni — appropriately a drink said to have been invented in Florence — her only wish was to simply see friends. Mrs Berry is survived by husband Bob, daughter Vanessa, son Simon and grandchildren Mia, Jackson and Boe. — Sally Rae
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: a life full of flair and adventure
SUE BERRY Punctuality was one of the principles Sue Berry inherited from her parents. So when legendary British actor Sir Michael Caine asked the young New Zealand physiotherapist out on a date in London and then turned up late, she promptly gave him his marching orders. That is just one example of how Mrs Berry's sparkling personality opened the doors to some extraordinary encounters during a life which has aptly been described as a "cracker". Mrs Berry, who died in Queenstown on April 6, aged 81, was the co-founder of Oamaru business success story Whitestone Cheese, a devoted wife of 55 years, culinary queen, formidable hostess — equally comfortable serving the prime minister as she was a shearing gang — and a passionate lover of life. Susan Gibson Black was born, along with her identical twin sister Elizabeth, on March 2, 1944, at the El Nido maternity hospital in Dunedin, coincidentally the same place where her future husband Bob was born three months later. Her father, George, was a stock agent for Dalgetys while her mother, Mabel, was the daughter of a pioneering Taieri Plain dairy farmer. When Mr Black was transferred to Whangarei, the twins attended the local primary school where lessons were in Māori. After several years in the North Island, Mr Black was appointed Dalgetys' branch manager in Dunedin and the family returned to the South, the girls only realising then what shoes were as they had been barefoot all their young lives. Enrolled at Columba College, the Black twins began to stamp their mark at school, excelling in tennis and netball and creating confusion for both referees and players alike trying to establish which twin was marking whom. Those activities continued into their teenage years when many a young suitor was a little unsure as to who he actually was on a date with. After completing their studies in physiotherapy and home science respectively, Mrs Berry and her twin sister — known as Lib — sailed to the United Kingdom on their OE in 1965. While Lib later returned home, her sister spent five years in the UK and Europe and some of the friendships made were to be life-long. Working for the Minney family at their spa in East Grinstead, she was embraced by the family and had many nights dining with their guests. One night, seated beside a rather portly fellow, she politely asked where he came from and what he did for a job. It was Reginald Maudling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Rubeigh (RJ) Minney, a celebrated British film producer, journalist, playwright, editor and author, wrote to Mrs Berry until his death in 1979. Such was Minney's renown that former Labour prime minister Sir Harold Wilson read the lesson at his funeral while Dame Virginia McKenna — who starred in the 1958 British war drama film Carve Her Name With Pride , based on a book written by Minney — read a poem from the film. From there, Mrs Berry moved to Florence, driven by a desire to learn Italian and was quickly offered a job by a hospital superintendent as there was a shortage of physiotherapists in the city. She soon spoke fluent Italian, with a Florentine accent, and embraced the lifestyle of the city, the Italian people, and the country's food and wine. She socialised with Florence elite, including the Ferragamo family of the luxury shoe brand, and she thought she might live there for the rest of her life. But fate intervened when Lib Black's boyfriend was diagnosed with cancer and she returned to New Zealand to support her sister — and a young stock agent called Bob Berry was eagerly awaiting her return. Mr Berry, whose boss was George Black, had spent a week in Florence with Susan Black during his own OE. Travelling by himself, he had taken advantage of contacts around the world. In his haste to see her in her small apartment in a very narrow street, he had opened the taxi door as another car drove past, wiping the door off the taxi and causing much consternation with the Italian-speaking taxi driver. A nearby lawyer managed to extract him from the debacle and the young pair enjoyed visiting art galleries, dining out and a weekend on the Mediterranean. Following her arrival back in Dunedin, a whirlwind romance followed and, after a three-month engagement, the couple married at the Roslyn Presbyterian Church in Dunedin. Speaking at a celebration of his wife's life, Mr Berry recalled how his new bride was in for "a few culture shocks" when they embarked on their honeymoon to Te Anau. Arriving for dinner at the THC Hotel and wearing the latest in fashion from Florence with a slightly see-through top, she was told by the maitre d' — "you can't come in here dressed like that. Go and put a cardy on". Settling into married life in Dunedin, Mrs Berry got a job as a physiotherapist at the hospital and when her husband took over the Berry family's run at Waikouaiti, she was promoted to cook, replacing her father-in-law, Norman. Cooking on a coal range in a hut with no electricity, she decided to treat the shearers, making her own pasta for a dish of lasagne. When the shearers duly arrived at noon, one took a bite of lasagne and flicked the entire dish out the door to the waiting dogs, much to the mortification of the cook. But she had the last laugh. Several shearings later, a huge roast awaited the shearers until Mr Berry's mainstay dog Dick grabbed it off the table and took it outside. Mrs Berry retrieved the lump of meat, extracted the strands of tussock, trimmed it a bit and served it for lunch. "She was getting into the swing of things," Mr Berry said, laughing. In 1972, the couple welcomed their daughter Vanessa and, about a year later, the family moved to Puketeraki, in East Otago, and Mr Berry embarked on a full-time farming career. Son Simon arrived in 1974. Mr Berry described the period his family spent at Karitane as "golden years", while Simon berry said he and his sister had a fantastic free-range upbringing. In 1982, the Berrys moved to Maheno to farm at Monte Cristo and Mrs Berry relocated her physiotherapy work to Oamaru Hospital. She also worked at interior design business Winj. She continued to cook for shearers and farm workers. Farming in North Otago in the 1980s through drought and recessions was tough and, in 1987, the couple diversified from their farming operation by opening a cheese business. From its beginnings in a converted garage, Whitestone Cheese was initially "a pretty slow burn", Mr Berry recalled, but it slowly grew and Mrs Berry was in her element, fronting its stalls at wine and food festivals throughout the country and later in the United States. She was also passionate about promoting the wider Waitaki district and served as chairwoman of the Waitaki Tourism Association. When the business moved to a purpose-built factory, a cafe was added and her skills came to the fore running that side of the business. Mr Berry described her as an "extraordinary foodie and a fantastic cook". One of her proudest moments was being inducted into the Columba College Business Hall of Fame in 2012. Coincidentally, she was inducted alongside professional director Sarah Ottrey who is now chairwoman of Whitestone Cheese. The business, now managed by Simon Berry and employing more than 80 staff, recently won the supreme award at the New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards for its Monte Cristo cheese, an accolade which Simon dedicated to his mother. Bob Berry said his wife's hostess skills were legendary and she was also very adaptable. When former prime minister Sir Robert Muldoon was in Oamaru for a National Party function and the gathering ended up at the Berrys' home, Mr Muldoon asked for a screwdriver cocktail. Devoid of the ingredients required, Mrs Berry mixed him a gin and Jungle Juice, the latter borrowed from their young daughter, and he came back for more. For 33 years, Mrs Berry was a member of a book group known affectionately as "Worms", its members drawn from all corners of the Waitaki district, and, for the last 10 years, also a member of the Dorothy Browns Book Club in Arrowtown. Fellow Worm Sandy Cameron described her as a "true bookworm" who had impressive literary knowledge across a wide range of books and authors. "She literally lit up the room at gatherings and sparkled with wit and humour." Mr and Mrs Berry shifted to Lake Hayes, near the mountains where the family spent many winters skiing. A year ago, Mrs Berry's health deteriorated but her husband — who described her as his "rock" — said her positive attitude right up to her death made it so much easier for her family. "She had no regrets, having lived a fantastic life to the full". Simon Berry said his mother could be summed up in two words — great taste. "The great taste she had in life whether that be her choice of colours and interior decorating, meals, destinations, drinks or friends. She always had and applied such nice taste," he said. And in her final months, she left her family with another valuable and final lesson, which was grace. Sipping a much-loved Negroni — appropriately a drink said to have been invented in Florence — her only wish was to simply see friends. Mrs Berry is survived by husband Bob, daughter Vanessa, son Simon and grandchildren Mia, Jackson and Boe. — Sally Rae
1News
06-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Five Big Things That Happened Today: Friday, May 2
Sir Bob Jones dies, wild weather continues across the country, and New Zealand's best cheese named. New Zealand businessman and former political party leader Sir Bob Jones has died. He was 85. Sir Bob earned his wealth through property investments, holding a $2 billion portfolio of commercial buildings in Auckland, Wellington and Glasgow. In 1983, Sir Bob launched the short-lived New Zealand Party in an attempt to oust then-Prime Minister Robert Muldoon from Parliament. In 1985, Sir Bob was involved in one of New Zealand's most famous television moments, when journalist Rod Vaughan emerged from the bush with a bloody nose following a confrontation between the two on the banks of the Tongariro River. Read More Large parts of the country were again hammered by wild weather today, as torrential rain and gale-force winds set in. Flooding from heavy rain has led to states of emergency being declared in Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, and Selwyn District. Around 50 properties were impacted by flooding in the Selwyn District. Read More President Donald Trump said he's nominating his national security adviser Mike Waltz to serve as United Nations ambassador in a major shake-up of his national security team. Trump announced the moves shortly after news broke that Waltz was leaving the administration. Weeks ago, it was revealed that he had added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans. Read More One of the country's largest banks has been ordered to pay a penalty of $3.25 million for misleading and overcharging customers. Westpac admitted the breaches in a case brought against it by the Financial Markets Authority at the Auckland High Court in December last year. The historical breaches resulted in $6.35 million of overcharging and impacted more than 24,500 customers Read More Changes to the food and drink policy at Nelson's Trafalgar Centre could end the city's basketball club, its manager has warned. Nelson City Council last year gave its contractor for the Trafalgar Centre – CLM (Community Leisure Management) – exclusive food and beverage rights for events at the stadium. But revenue from food and beverage sales from 11 home games each season account for about 14% of the NBS Nelson Giants' income. Read More A sheep milk cheddar has taken out the top prize at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards this year. "Complex, waxy, balanced with a beautiful ivory paste. Delicious. Favourite of the day," judges said about the about the Whitestone Cheese winner. The sheep milk cheddar also bagged two other awards - best original cheese and best-in-class. Read More
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Whitestone's Monte Cristo wins top award
Celebrating with the Champion of Champions trophy are (from left) Annabel Berry, Christine Lovell, Maria Davey, Simon Berry and a Woolworths representative, Eve Dhar. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Whitestone Cheese cleaned up at the NZ Champions of Cheese awards, paying tribute to one half of the instigators of the business. Monte Cristo was named the champion of champions and cheesemaker Jonathan Emerson named champion cheesemaker at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards in Hamilton. The business was started in 1987 by Bob and Sue Berry. Mrs Berry died last month. Her drive and passion for the business was remembered when the wins came. "We've only ever won the supreme champion once before with Windsor Blue. "And for Monte Cristo to go through, it's nice timing, especially with Mum [Sue] passing on last month," Whitestone Cheese managing director Simon Berry said. Whitestone Cheese founder Sue Berry. "When we created Monte Cristo, it was named after our family farm and we're dedicating it to her really. "Here we are recognised as New Zealand's leading producer and getting to this point with all the hard work she's put in, and her vision and her taste". Last month, the business secured an impressive 18 medals, including six highly coveted gold medals at the cheese awards. All the medal winners were then in contention for trophies, which were awarded at a ceremony on Thursday night. Whitestone was awarded five trophies, including the top award, Woolworths Champion of Champions. Monte Cristo also received trophies for Champion Original Cheese and Maui Sheep Milk Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese. Mr Berry said they were "thrilled" with the wins and his father Bob was "ecstatic". Head cheesemaker For Jonathan Emerson, who has been at Whitestone for 14 years, the Champion Cheesemaker title win was "a testament to his focus on quality and technique and also managing all those complex recipes under one roof," Mr Berry said. Whitestone's Monte Cristo had been a "pioneering" sheepmilk recipe cheese. It had taken a long time to perfect. "It has won gold medals before, but to go through to win the grand champion just shows the quality of it," Mr Berry said. Its development came from his parents experimenting with sheep milk suppliers and working with farmers in Southland and Dr Jock Allison at Invermay. "He pioneered it by bringing in the first East Friesian Cross to create a cheese with, so Monte Cristo was born out of that," Mr Berry said. Judges praised Monte Cristo saying it was "the cream of the crop".
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Whitestone creams it at NZ cheese awards
Whitestone Cheese head cheesemaker Jonathan Emerson and managing director Simon Berry at their Oamaru factory. PHOTO: JULES CHIN A sheep milk cheddar made in Oamaru has been named New Zealand's best cheese. Whitestone Cheese's Monte Cristo was the champion of champions and cheesemaker Jonathon Emerson named champion cheesemaker at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards in Hamilton last night. Last month, the Oamaru cheese business, founded by Bob and Sue Berry in 1987, secured an impressive 18 medals, including six highly coveted gold medals at the cheese awards. All the medal winners were then in contention for trophies, which were awarded last night. Whitestone was awarded five trophies, including the top award. Monte Cristo also received trophies for champion original cheese and best-in-class sheep milk cheese. Managing director Simon Berry said they were "thrilled" and his father Bob "ecstatic". Whitestone Cheese Co's sheep milk cheddar, Monte Cristo. Photo credit: Supplied Head cheesemaker Jonathan Emerson, who has been at Whitestone for 14 years, received the champion cheesemaker title which was "a testament to his focus on quality and technique and also managing all those complex recipes under one roof," Mr Berry said. Whitestone's Monte Cristo had been a "pioneering" sheep milk recipe cheese. It had taken a long time to perfect from the 1990s on. "It has won gold medals before, but to go through to win the grand champion just shows the quality of it." Its development came from his parents experimenting with sheep milk supply and working with farmers in Southland and Dr Jock Allison at Invermay. "He pioneered it by bringing in the first East Friesian Cross to create a cheese with, so Monte Cristo was born out of that," Mr Berry said. Judges praised Monte Cristo saying it was "the cream of the crop".
