Thomas Song was instrumental in establishing NZ’s salmon industry.
A statement from forestry company Ernslaw One posted that “with deep sadness and regret”, that its founding managing director Thomas Song passed away yesterday following a sudden illness.
“Thomas moved to New Zealand with his family from Malaysia in 1990 following the purchase of state forests by the Malaysian based Tiong family. He then through a succession of purchases and development of new forests built up Ernslaw One to become one of the largest forestry companies in New Zealand.
“He later successfully promoted the restructure of the New Zealand salmon industry through the formation of NZ King Salmon Ltd which is now listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.
“Thomas developed a reputation for being a strategic thinker and pragmatic in business. He was commercially astute and built high quality enduring business relationships. He invested confidence in his management teams and was held in high regard by the many employees of the businesses that he had oversight of. Thomas became regarded as a leader in the forestry industry and his passing will represent a huge loss to the business interests of New Zealand.”
Song was Managing Director of major New Zealand King Salmon shareholder Oregon Group. In this role, Song was also the chairman of Neil Corporation Limited and Winstone Pulp International Limited. Thomas is a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).
Thomas is survived by his wife, Leh Sieng, his son Steven and his daughter Swee Sing and two grandchildren.
