The Nugget: Murray Thom

It’s not often we say this but please do not read another word.

Instead, skip to Question 13 and you’ll get an instant idea of Murray Thom.

You’d also include words like bright, breezy and eternally optimistic. He’d probably add a few more himself given how much he loves a chin-wag, frequently at four-minute-mile pace.

And by the looks of his daily journals he’s pictured with here, he writes at a similar speed. Mind you with a life lived as big as his, it’s no wonder he’s filled a few volumes. He’s currently editing them into a book with the brilliant title of Eat Drink & Be Murray.

It all started when he left school at 15 although he thought he should have left at 12 and “not wasted 3 good years”.

Clearly Murray was going places. By 23 he was Managing Director of CBS Records NZ. By 30 he was out “giving his own thing a crack” in the music and publishing worlds.

But don’t call him an entrepreneur, “the French word for unemployed”.

Rather, he “embraces projects that captivate me”.

Highlights? Only being Executive Producer on Celine Dion’s Miracle album; and creator of The Great New Zealand Songbook, The Great New Zealand Cookbook and The Offering Project. It’s an idea he’d dreamed up 17 years ago, (“Don’t be afraid to stay with a vision”) involving NZ’s best musicians singing gospel songs to raise money for the Salvation Army (about $350,000!). Or as he says, “the artists of our time presenting the music of all time”.

So, what drives him? A love of bringing creative communities together around a noble vision, and a genuine desire to help others.

With such a busy life, Murray needs gear that looks good and lasts the distance. Like our charcoal Rievaulx suit ($700), our 100%-cotton pink shirt (The Flatiron $120 or 3 for $300), and Oxford shoes with hole punch detail (The Ringo $230 or 2 for $333), he’s wearing here.

Outside of work, Murray’s a family man and sailing nut, winning gold in 2005, and silver in 2017 at the World Laser Masters Championships.

Being on the ocean has taught him to “never chase a dying breeze”. And it’s this determination to always look to where the winds are blowing that gives him the ability to tack towards new projects so successfully.

Well, that and his tireless work ethic, infectious positivity and way with words.

Some more of which are included below.

A few more words from Murray. Who would have thought?