Christchurch, New Zealand, 31 December 2025
He was one of Sir Angus Tait’s first employees, expanded the business around the globe and helped set up a radio network to keep people safe in the mountains.
Now Ian Gardiner has been recognised with a New Year’s Honour.
Ian, who still works part-time as Tait Communications’ history curator, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 31 December for 60 years of service to the communications industry and mountain safety.
His legacy includes the design and development of Tait’s first UHF base stations, the successful expansion of our product lines into international markets, and the establishment of enduring relationships with government and industry partners.
Ian’s work has directly contributed to the safety and connectivity of communities around the world, while his volunteering has helped save lives in New Zealand’s great outdoors as a founding member of the Mountain Radio Service.
Ian says he’s extremely proud to receive the honour.
“As a schoolboy playing with electronics I couldn’t have wished for a better career, one which I enjoyed every working day,” he says.
“Mountain safety has also been top of my list since my involvement in the Face Rescue team in the 1960s, and the rescue on Mount Rolleston in June 1966 when Peter Squires and I were so lucky to survive the avalanche and be awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze medals. A positive outcome from that event was better and more serviceable radios for search and rescue and the formation of the mountain radio services.”
CEO and Managing Director Yoram Benit, PhD. says Ian has dedicated six decades to advancing New Zealand’s communications capabilities.
“Ian's remarkable contributions to the critical communications industry and his unwavering dedication to preserving the legacy of Sir Angus Tait make him an exemplary recipient of this prestigious recognition.”
Ian was one of the first 12 employees of Tait Electronics, founded by Sir Angus in November 1968. His first task was to clean out old bags of potatoes from the storage area.
When the original business failed, Ian remained steadfast in his belief in Sir Angus’ vision. After a brief stint in Australia, Ian returned to New Zealand to rejoin what has now become Tait Communications as a Senior Design Engineer. It was in this role that Ian helped create Tait’s first FM mobile radio for export.
Since then, he has held many roles within the company helping to establish Tait as an international brand while playing a leading hand in the development of radio standards.
Outside of work, Ian was a founding member, long-term volunteer and honorary secretary of Canterbury’s Mountain Radio Service. It was set up in 1967 following the Mount Rolleston tragedy, of which Ian was in the rescue party. This initiative provided critical communications across New Zealand’s great outdoors, with the system saving lives and helping rescue thousands of New Zealanders and tourists.
Ian has also been heavily involved with Search and Rescue (SAR). He served as the Federated Mountain Club’s Search and Rescue advisor for 15 years and spent 10 years on a technical committee recommending communications for SAR groups in conjunction with the New Zealand Police.
Even in retirement, Ian continues to serve the Tait legacy, managing the on-site museum and leading tours for public groups who come to learn more about the company’s history.
Ian’s significant technical, commercial and leadership contributions have ensured Tait has remained at the forefront of innovation while serving the Christchurch community and customers around the world – just as Sir Angus had intended.
- Read more about Ian’s time with Tait here.
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