John Britten

The story of John Britten is now legend in New Zealand. The boy with learning difficulties caused by dyslexia, who battled within a school system not designed to recognise and nuture his creative gifts, John's school reports suggested he was destined for anything but greatness.

Years later he was the eighth person to be elected an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science and profession of engineering. 

Rich recognition for a person for whom a reading disability caused learning difficulties in his early education and who got his engineering qualifications through four years of night school. Posthumously in February 1996 the IPENZ awarded Britten an Entrepreneur Engineer Award for innovation, enterprise, entrepreneurial flair and services to the community.

The Britten story has captured a nation’s imagination - the V1000 bike on display at Te Papa is one of the National Museum’s most popular exhibits.

The full John Britten story can be found at: http://www.nzedge.com/heroes/britten.html

ABOUT THE TRUST  |  SUCCESS STORIES