If you have a DishDrawer dishwasher or a Smart Drive washing machine in your home, you have the vision of Maurice Paykel to thank. Along with his close friend and brother-in-law, Sir Woolf Fisher, Maurice co-founded Fisher & Paykel in 1934, establishing an iconic Kiwi brand that transformed everyday home life across New Zealand and eventually the world—Fisher and Paykel currently operates in over 50 countries.
Mother Olive’s Key Role
It all began in 1933 when Maurice’s mother Olive saw a new gadget called a “refrigerator” in an American magazine—it was the Crosley Shelvador—the first refrigerator with shelves in the door. She promptly solicited interest from her friends and family, securing 12 advance orders. Maurice’s father George imported them through the family business and recognising the potential ordered an extra 10, which young travelling salesman Woolf Fisher helped sell. Recognizing a massive demand, Woolf convinced Maurice (who originally wanted to be a farmer) to go into business with him. They opened their first shop in Auckland’s Queen’s Arcade in 1934 initially importing appliances to make life easier for Kiwi families
When tough government import restrictions hit in 1938, Fisher and Paykel took a massive gamble and started manufacturing their own whiteware right here in New Zealand. That bold move laid the foundation for decades of world-first engineering innovations, like polyurethane foam insulation and drive-mechanism washing machines.
Ongoing Success and Philanthropy
Maurice was the steady force behind the company’s incredible growth, serving as Joint Managing Director from 1963 to 1975, and taking over as Chairman and Managing Director after Woolf’s passing in 1975. Known as a deeply caring employer who treated his team like family, he remained actively involved in the business until his death in 2002.
Beyond the factory floor, Maurice gave back immensely to the country he loved. Inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 1998, he was a passionate benefactor of medical research, serving as chairman of the Medical Research Council and a dedicated supporter of the Laura Fergusson Trust.
Today, we celebrate Maurice Paykel—a true pioneer of New Zealand ingenuity, business excellence, and community spirit.
A Note on Origins
Both Maurice Paykel and Woolf Fisher came from close-knit Jewish families whose roots trace back to Russian Empire.
Maurice’s grandparents fled from what is now Belarus due to religious persecution and anti-Jewish pogroms. Woolf was the son a first-generation Jewish immigrant who also fled from antisemitism in the Russian Empire. The families were close and Maurice and Woolf were good friends long before their business venture. In September 1935, Woolf Fisher married Maurice’s sister, Joyce Paykel, at the Auckland Synagogue.
Maurice Paykel
Died 2002
Memorial Tree Site Plot 017
