Meet the man whose job was to spend a hundred million dollars

What a job — to spend a hundred million dollars.

But that's been Bill Kermode's work, passion and drive over the last decade. He's the chief executive of the Next Foundation which was set up by a mega investment in 2014.

Kermode has been a Kiwi corporate highflyer. He's warm but makes his points clearly and quickly — decisively. He's an investor whose also served as a director at large companies such as Ryman Healthcare, PF Olsen, NZ Pharmaceuticals, and EziBuy.

But philanthropy really seemed to be his baby.

Asked how it felt to be tasked with giving away that cash and he becomes emotional.

"It's a privilege. A massive privilege, I'm moved by that, you know, because the generosity and humility of the Plowmans and having the opportunity to work with them. It's a massive gift from them and its been a gift to me."

The Plowmans are Annette and Neal. Their fortune was made in a laundry services business and in 2019 it was reported they were worth $150 million.

Notoriously publicity shy, they were not however, shy about giving.

Last night at a private party, along with invited education and environmental organisations, they celebrated spending every last cent of their available cash.

Annette encouraged those who were in privileged positions "to give away at least half their wealth during their lifetime".

Kermode has been the face and voice of the Plowmans' foundation. It's worked to fund initiatives that were transformational - in education one of its biggest recipients was the Manaiakalani Education Trust, which received $10 million.

When 1News spoke to him last year about the tamariki who benefited from that programme, and the injection the donation gave it, he was quietly proud of their efforts.

None of that pride has dissipated.

"One of the things that I've gotten from this, is there's so much good going on in this country from good people.

"I've got to see so much of that... I never expected that would be the case."