Top consultant dies

Press, 15 September 1976, Page 15

Top consultant dies

PA Wellington New Zealand lost one of its finest financial consultants when Dr Gert August Lau died suddenly in Wellington on Sunday. He| was 66. For the last 30 years he. has run his own one-man consultancy practice adyis-| ing many of the largest; companies and involved in I many take-overs and merg-l ers. Dr Lau was a director of I companies in publishing, fin-1 ance, supermarkets, import-1 ing, and manufacturing. The last Labour Govern-! ment appointed him chair- j man of the Overseas In-' vestment Commission to control foreign investmentin New Zealand.

Dr Lau was born and educated in Germany, gaining a doctorate in law at Leipzig University. He began his working life as a commercial reporter, and then distinguished himself in banking. He came to New Zealand sponsored bv Todd Motors in 1939.

In 1946 he set up his own consultancy practice, but he continued until his death with Todd Motors three days a week. Sir Bryan Todd said Dr Lau had a great reputation for his ability in financial circles, on taxation matters, and in commerce. “His death creates a profound sense of shock and loss,” he said. Dr Lau had been a personal friend and advisor to Ithe Todd family. j “He had a brilliant acadeimic mind and combined it with sound business judgement.”

The Challenge Corporation’s chairman (Mr R. R. Trotter) said Dr Lau was one of New Zealand’s most distinguished consultants, a man of enormous ability. His directorships included Todd Motors, United Domi-

nions Corporation, Cory Wright and Salmon, Blundell Brothers, Independent Newspapers, Self Help Co-op, Wardell Brothers, Henry York, Maritime Container ITerminals, and National Distributors. He was chairman -of the board of Tyree Power Construction. | He was a board member iof the Institute of Economic Research, and was chairman lof the steering committee of 'the Pacific Basin Economic! (Council. I Outside his business inter-; Jests, Dr Lau was a life member and former presi-l •!dent of Birthright, which (gives assistance and guidance to the children of solo - parents. i He was also chairman of the Samaritan service. He was known for his tre-

mendous capacity for work, but knew how to strike the balance with leisure. Sir Bryan said Dr Lau was a man who needed little sleep. He would work or read until two in the morning, and get up again at six. He was an avid reader with a passion for detective stories and New Zealand history. He played a little golf. A leg injury from an ac- ! cident in Germany prevented i his piaying more ■ Dr Lau was a keen family Iman. He married a New Zealander in 1939 and is survived by her, his three sons, and three daughters. Dr Lau died of a hear attack at his Khandallah home this morning.