Footprints - Harnessing an Inheritance into a Legacy

Born in 1922, Roy attended Timaru Boys High School and Otago University, where he studied accountancy. During the Second World War he served in the RNZAF and the RAF. From 1949 to 1970 he was the Executive Director for McKenzies (NZ) Ltd.

In 1948 Sir Roy married Shirley Howard. Sir Roy and Lady McKenzie had three children - Peter, John and Robyn - and nine grandchildren.

Sir Roy's contribution to philanthropy in New Zealand has been immense. He was on the J R McKenzie Trust Board from 1947 - 1993, chairing it for 17 years. He substantially increased the Trust's assets. He was significantly involved in the governance of the J R McKenzie Youth Education Fund. He also set up other grant making bodies:

the McKenzie Education Foundation (1966 - 85)
the Roy McKenzie Foundation (1986 - 95) - this was ground-breaking in its flexibility and innovation, seeding the birth of important organisations like the Funding Information Service and Philanthropy New Zealand.
the Deaf Decade Trust (1992 - ), which now operates as the Deaf Development Fund.

He was renowned for his innovative approaches to supporting the community and his own back pocket philanthropy.