The O'Sullivans, crafting a legacy of care

If Lindisfarne College were to choose individuals who truly embody the values of “Caring and Connected,” John and Michelle O’Sullivan would stand at the forefront. Their connection with the College was celebrated recently at a special assembly, at which they received their Honours tie and scarf in recognition of their outstanding contribution. As Rector, Mr Hakeney, read their citation, it became clear that the O’Sullivans are a family whose roots run deep in Hawke’s Bay and whose unwavering care for others has become a defining force in their lives.

John and Michelle’s association with Lindisfarne started when their two boys, Daniel and Rory attended the College over a period of 13 years. They soon became familiar faces at Lindisfarne, supporting their sons, helping at College Galas and quietly making a difference behind the scenes. In 2015, they established the Evergreen Scholarship to assist the recipients with the cost of boarding fees at the College. For many boys, this scholarship has been the deciding factor in enabling them to attend Lindisfarne; a gift that has changed lives. Significant though this assistance is, it represents only a fraction of what the Evergreen Foundation and the O’Sullivan family have given back to the community.

The O’Sullivan family business, Tumu Group, began as a small timber yard in Dannevirke. At just 22, John was sent to establish a new yard in Maraekakaho, Hastings. “My dad subscribed to the sink or swim theory of business,” John recalls. From there Tumu Group has grown into a diverse and thriving enterprise, employing hundreds and making a significant contribution to the regional economy.  In 2023, the O’Sullivan family received the Entrepreneur of the Year Family Enterprise Award of Excellence, recognising resilience, strong values, and a long-term vision that spans generations.

An ethos of care within the Tumu Group was always a guiding principle for John and it led ultimately to the creation of the Evergreen Foundation in 2014. John explains its origins: “It had small beginnings with staff members who passed the hat around when there was a tragedy or hardship. I thought there was a better way of helping and introduced a system of giving through the payroll which was then matched by a company donation. Staff could also donate the financial value of a day of their leave to causes.” John believes that “Culture beats strategy,” and this mantra has become central to his leadership. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my working life has been building a great team of people within our various workplaces and seeing them contribute to the culture of care,”
says John.

Although the Evergreen Foundation started small, it grew rapidly with John and his brothers donating funds and the wider community getting involved. A diagnosis of brain cancer five years ago forced John to re-evaluate his priorities and accelerated his focus on the work of the Foundation. This work concentrates on three areas: assistance in the face of financial hardship, support for education and training and help for specialist health treatment.

It was Cyclone Gabrielle that truly tested and demonstrated the heart of the Evergreen Foundation. When disaster struck Hawke’s Bay, the Foundation sprang into action, using the Tumu Group’s networks and connections to focus help where it was needed most: in the rural and horticultural areas. $3.46 million was raised to help with the relief projects but the impact went far beyond the financial, extending into the heart of Hawke’s Bay.  A few of the many practical projects that were implemented were cleaning and repairing 30,000 silt-damaged apple bins, providing fuel for generators in cut-off communities, and funding a volunteer laundry service that did 3,600 loads of washing for affected families. One of the most unique and compassionate projects was the financial support given to every boarding school in the Hawke’s Bay, including Lindisfarne, which enabled many students to return home to their families and eased the burden of boarding costs for families under immense stress. These actions didn’t just restore homes; they restored hope.

This year, John was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and philanthropy; it is hard to imagine a more worthy recipient. Through all of this, Michelle has been a constant presence, quietly strong, deeply compassionate, and unwavering in her support. She has stood beside John, sharing in the vision and the work of the Evergreen Foundation and together, they have built not just businesses and scholarships, but a legacy of care.