In this interview with JoM's Keren Cook,  David Nathan talks about the Nathan family legacy, beginning with the arrival in 1840 of the first David Nathan (1816-1886) in Kororeka, New Zealand. Stocked with goods he had bought from England, David set up shop on the shores of Kororareka and began a two-generations long story.

Established by David’s great  great grandfather, David Nathan, in the late 19th century, L.D. Nathan & Co. Ltd became a recognised family business name for several generations of New Zealanders. Over the next 140 years the Company owned several iconic businesses such as Woolworths New Zealand, McKenzie's, Bond and Bond, Coca Cola New Zealand before merging with Lion to become Lion Nathan.  David’s grandmother was involved also with Plunkett and established the SPCA.  Both David's grandparents were part of the Zionist movement and assisted with the establishment of the New Zealand House in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel.  Listen here to a story full of interesting observations about early New Zealand and learn more about the trials and tribulations of what remains to this day a significant business dynasty.

In the History section of the JoM you will also find the Online Exhibition As Old as Auckland which through text and images, takes us from first Nathan shop on the shores of Kororareka, to the hubbub of modern day downtown Auckland.

David Nathan has been the President of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation for many years, also the Zionist Society, and has been a Director of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce since 1992 and is its current Treasurer. David is also Chairman and an Executive Director of Pacific Flight Catering Ltd, a catering company specialising in catering to the airlines from a purpose built 75,000 ft facility at Auckland Airport, and a director of a number of private companies in Auckland. David holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Auckland and sustains a long held commitment to the Jewish faith.  

Podcast (3:30)

Image above header: David Nathan. Photograph reproduced here with the permission of David Nathan. Photography by Stephen Robinson. © JoM 2012