6 July 2026
Graham Malaghan – whose family's name the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research carries, and who served more than three decades as Chairman – died peacefully on 2 July 2026, aged 82.
Former Director, Professor Sir Graham Le Gros, who was appointed to lead the Malaghan Institute in 1994 by Graham and fellow trustees, says he will be greatly missed but remembered for his legacy steering an organisation founded on generosity and hope for a better future.
Graham’s connection to the institute began in 1966 when his parents Len and Ann Malaghan gifted 100,000 shares in their company General Foods Corp Ltd to what would become the Wellington Cancer and Medical Research Institute Trust to foster medical research in the capital.
Following Len’s death from blood cancer in 1967, Ann went on to make further gifts, with the institute renamed as the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in 1986 in recognition of the family’s generosity.
The Malaghan family, from left: Neil, Margaret, Robin, Len, Ann and Graham
When the 1987 share market crash pushed the institute to the verge of insolvency, Graham stepped in to help secure a rescue package to rebuild it. Sir Graham Le Gros says it was Graham’s tremendous sense of loyalty to his mother and what she and his father had intended for their money and the community that propelled him to get stuck in and help turn things around for the organisation.
“Graham taught me about loyalty and commitment to the job – about never, ever giving up, and never being afraid to just take whatever challenge comes your way. We shared a vision for the institute and the need for independent medical research to be done right here in New Zealand, that would improve New Zealanders’ lives.”
Dale and Graham Malaghan receiving his Honorary Doctorate of Science from Victoria University of Wellington, 2009
Graham served as Chairman from 1990 for more than 30 years, during which time the organisation grew from around 20 to more than 130 staff. His tenure was recognised in 2009 with an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Victoria University of Wellington, and in 2012 as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to medical research and philanthropy.
In December 2023, he stepped down as Chairman, passing the role to Sir Paul Collins, whose father, eminent Wellington surgeon Mr Tom Collins, was also integral to the institute’s inception.
“Graham’s were big shoes to fill, but I shared his sense of responsibility and stewardship – not just to the Malaghan, but to everything his parents and my father had hoped it would become,” says Sir Paul.
“Graham created his own legacy, and in doing so honoured his parents’ generosity and vision.”
In recent months, Graham and his wife Dale continued their commitment to the institute's future, establishing the Malaghan Family Leadership Fund – a perpetual gift to support professional development for the organisation’s senior leaders.
Director Professor Kjesten Wiig says the gift reflects Graham’s and his family's understanding of what an organisation like the Malaghan Institute needs to thrive.
“Over his time at the Malaghan Institute, Graham helped cultivate a high-calibre team to support world-class science. This gift is a fitting way to extend that legacy.
“Our thoughts are with Dale and the Malaghan family at this sad time.”
Graham with the Malaghan Institute Trust Board in 2022