Donn James Armstrong 1943 - 2024
It is with sadness that we mark the passing of Donn James Armstrong FNZIV(Life) FPINZ(Life).
Donn passed away peacefully during April after a short illness, He was 80 years old.
Donn leaves behind his wife Liz, and children Stephanie, Libby and Peter.
Below is the citation received when he was elevated to Life Membership in 2009, written by Evan Gamby.
Donn James Armstrong (Donn) completed a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln in 1965 and gained a Diploma in Valuation and Farm Management in 1966.
After a trip overseas he joined the field staff of the State Advances Corporation in Rotorua in October 1967, transferring to South Canterbury in January 1968 where he worked for three years.
He was registered as a valuer on 29 October 1969.
Donn joined the Timaru Farm Management and Consultancy firm of Ettwell, Hormann and Armstrong in 1971.
In 1974 he set up his own Valuation and Farm Management practice of Donn Armstrong and Associates Limited and in addition farmed his 100 hectare property at Pleasant Point.
Donn was a Member Strathallan County Council 1978 to 1989. One of his responsibilities during this period was as Community Board Member of Pleasant Point. He chaired the Finance and Town Planning Committees. He also served as The Civil Defence Officer for Pleasant Point
Donn was appointed by the Minister of Valuation to the Valuers Registration Board (VRB) in May 1979 at the young age of 36, served 24 years and was the deputy Chairman from 1998 until he resigned from the Board in 2003. While on the Board Donn wrote many decisions of the Board and has been the longest serving member of the VRB.
He served on the South Canterbury Branch Committee of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers (NZIV) over the period 1971-1981, was Branch Chairman 1975-1976 and on the panel of Professional examination examiners from 1977-82. Following a move to Christchurch in 2004 Donn has been involved with the local PINZ/NZIV branch and organised the Canterbury Regional Conference in 2006. He has lectured to final year students at Lincoln University in Valuation.
Donn has prepared and presented numerous papers to a wide variety of organisations including on valuation to the Pan Pacific Valuers' Conference 1988, The Triennial Conference of Valuers Perth in 1991 and the Australian Conference of Valuers' Registration Boards Melbourne, Perth and Sydney 1984, 1986 and 1988. He has been on two Valuers Act Review committees and monitored valuation and commerce courses at Auckland, Lincoln and Massey Universities over many years.
Donn has had a far wider community involvement than institute affairs including Rotary, Toastmasters and local township committee work. He has also been involved with Directorships from the 1990's such as Combined Rural Traders, Greenfields Farmers Trading Co-operative (up to 1998) Geraldine Berry Farms, Deputy Chairman Blackcurrants New Zealand Limited up to 2004 and Clayton Farming Company Limited
Donn has presented evidence to High Court, LVT. Waitangi Tribunal on many occasions. He prepared land claim evidence for Ngai Tahu and is an acknowledged specialist valuer in Forestry Land matters. In 2006 Donn completed what is now referred to as the "Armstrong Report" for Government (LINZ) on a review of the process involved in setting rentals and tenure review under he provisions of the Land Act and the Crown Pastoral Leases Act relating to the South Island High Country.
Donn Armstrong is held in very high regard by his peers, New Zealand business leaders, Government and perhaps most importantly of all his family. His elevation is as a life member of both PINZ and NZIV. Please join with us by showing your appreciation for his outstanding involvement in our industry over many years.
Evan/life membership/09.06.10 Donn Armstrong Citation
