John Green's three-to-five-year stint extended to 30 years
“Southland, and this business in particular, gets to you, so I’m still here. The kids have grown up and now they are having their families. The town has been very good to us personally.”
It was 1993 when John Green fielded a phone call from Acton Smith.
Green was living in Auckland at the time working in at national retail business which now doesn’t exist.
He’s a North Canterbury lad at heart though. Culveden is his hometown where is parents had a country store.
He went farming after school before moving into the corporate world doing his management training working with Woolworths.
Smith was keen on having a South Islander take on the role of H&J Smith Ltd’s chief executive. Green fitted the bill.
He agreed, arriving with a young family to start the new job on April 12, 1994. The plan was to spend three to five years in Invercargill before moving on.
Green’s now eight months shy of 30 years in the H&J Smith job and making Invercargill home.
“Southland, and this business in particular, gets to you, so I’m still here. The kids have grown up and now they are having their families. The town has been very good to us personally.”
Green has spent close to 30 years of his 50 years in employment at H&J Smith Ltd.
He’s been ready to retire for a bit now, although he wants to see the closure of the H&J Smith department store business through.
“I’ve hung on to take this step. I’m pleased if anyone was going to do it then I’ve had the opportunity.”
The 123-year-old H&J Smith department store will close its doors for the final time at 3pm on Saturday.
It’s a momentous moment for the historic business, the Smith family, Invercargill in general, and Green as well, given the role H&J Smith has played in his life.
Although Green is quick to point out there are others still in the business who have tipped the 40-year mark.
While the H&J Smith department store will close to the public on Saturday Green is one of 15 staff who will stay on for a period to wrap up things.
“There’s a pack down, organisation an auction or auctions, there’s the customer accounts to collect over the next year. There is a lot of stuff that needs doing to get the premises to a point that they are clean and tidy and all the fixtures and fittings are gone.
“The remaining stock will probably go to some of our favorite charities for them to make some money out of.”
When retirement does kick in for Green, he’s looking forward to riding his bike more and says he has a couple of dogs that need walking.
Although he’s certain life will remain relatively busy.
He’s heavily involved with the Southland Kennel Association and also holds a national role with Dogs New Zealand.
“The not-for-profit stuff chases you, and whether there is anything else we’ll have to wait and see.”
Green has also chaired Invercargill’s city centre governance group and was a co-founder and trustee of the Southland Christmas Parade since its inception.