On 7 July 1924, Arthur Porritt won a bronze medal in the 100m at the Olympics in Paris, one of only four New Zealanders to participate at those Games. In the film, Chariots of Fire, his character was named Tom Watson, apparently out of modesty on Porritt’s part. He later became Governor General of New Zealand and Porritt Avenue is named after him.
Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt, with painters on the lawn at Government House, 1967.
Alexander Turnbull EP-NZ Obits-Porritt, Sir Arthur-01