kilometres off the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The island's northern half is primarily farmland which supports both sheep and beef farming operations. Its southern half has been re-vegetated with pine and native trees. Richwhite's wife Libby has overseen the planting of over 600,000 native trees on the island as well as a conservation programme to preserve many of the island's rich historic and archaeologically significant Māori Pa and heritage sites. Groups helping children at risk are often invited to make use of the island's facilities for their camps. Given the island's isolation, land has also made available for a team of scientists breeding a strain of bee immune to the destructive Varroa mite infestation currently affecting the worldwide bee industry. On 30 November 2009, Great Mercury Island hosted the first successful launch of Rocket Lab's suborbital Atea-1 sounding rocket. Other activities David Richwhite has four children and is an active fisherman, hunter and musician. References 1948 births Living people New Zealand bankers New Zealand expatriates in Switzerland New Zealand expatriates in the United Kingdom