MP Efeso Collins a Champion of Equality
Green Party MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, who had only recently started his new role as member of parliament, has died at the age of 49. He was participating in the ChildFund Water Run to…
News of New Zealanders via Global Media
Margaret Rich Was a Gifted Psychiatrist
“My friend Margaret Rich, who has died aged 89, came to the UK in 1959 from New Zealand to be a psychiatrist, and worked for most of her career at two London hospitals, St…
Journalist John McBeth a Legend in Asia
Whanganui-born John McBeth, one of Asia’s pre-eminent journalists with a record of scrupulous and ground-breaking reporting, has died. He was 79. This obituary is published by The Diplomat. “Over a career spanning more than 62…
Stellar Creator Mark Toia an Advertising Legend
New Zealand-born visionary filmmaker and director Mark Toia has died, at the age of 51, in Brisbane, the Daily Mail reports. Toia’s career took him from filming eye-catching ads for Jeep and Mercedes to investing…
Cal Wilson a Comic Powerhouse
Cal Wilson, the New Zealand stand-up comedian, writer and actor who became a mainstay on Australian television over a 20-year career, has died at the age of 53, Michael Sun reports for The Guardian. Wilson…
Mourning the Passing Of Lumberjack Icon Jason Wynyard
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series mourns the untimely passing of Jason Wynyard, nine-time Individual World Champion and Series “titan. Jason was much more than a world champion, he was a true legend, an inspiring and…
World’s Oldest Pro Wrestler Abe Jacobs a Class Act
Chatham Islands-born Abe Jacobs, the oldest known living professional wrestler in the world, has died in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States, at the age of 95. Mike Mooneyham looks back on his…
Ian Witten: Waikato University Digital Pioneer (1947-2023)
Influential computer scientist and University of Waikato Emeritus Professor Ian Witten has died in Hamilton aged 76. An expert in computer software and digital technology, he helped establish the University’s international reputation in machine learning,…
Flying Officer Arthur Joplin Helped Sink Tirpitz
Auckland-born Flying Officer Arthur Joplin, who has died in New Zealand aged 99, was the pilot of a Lancaster on the raid that finally sank the German battleship, the Tirpitz. His obituary is published…
Anne Perry a Crime Writer with Her Own Dark Tale
“Anne Perry, the prolific London-born author of historical and socially conscious crime fiction who in her teens served five years in prison for murder, a sordid past that came to wide attention with the…
Bushwhacker Butch One Tough Son of a Gun
New Zealander Bushwhacker Butch, a member of one of pro wrestling’s most beloved tag teams, has died in Los Angeles after arriving for public appearances around WrestleMania 39. He was 78, Joseph Staszewski reports…
Ans Westra’s Photos Captured a Changing Nation
Ans Westra, a Dutch-born photographer who created the most comprehensive record of New Zealand’s social history, comprising more than 300,000 powerful images, died on 26 February at her home outside Wellington. She was 86….
Trailblazing Georgina Beyer Dedicated to Community
Georgina Beyer, a former actor, drag performer, sex worker and radio host who pulled off a surprise victory as a Labour MP and later played a pivotal role in decriminalising prostitution, has died in…
Stuart Twemlow’s Ground-Breaking Contributions to Psychiatry
Whanganui-born psychiatrist Dr Stuart Twemlow (Ngāti Patupo, Ngāti Te Wehi) wrote over 200 publications on a wide variety of fields including school violence, workplace harassment, terrorism and cult dynamics. Twemlow lectured internationally on the…
Fashion Journalist Hilary Alexander Ever the Pro
Napier-born Hilary Alexander, one of the original Fleet Street fashion journalists and former fashion director of The Daily Telegraph, who has died age 77, was a prolific reporter and writer who epitomised the fashion-loving,…
Botanical Artist Bryan Poole World-Renowned
“ Bryan Poole, who has died aged 69, was one of the most talented botanical artists working in Britain; he helped to raise the status of a branch of art which has too…
RIP Pioneering Neuroscientist Matthew During
New Zealand-born Matthew During was a pioneering neuroscientist who devoted his life to developing gene therapy for human applications. During, who died in Darien, Connecticut on January 26th, 2023, aged 66. He made…
Pioneering Physicist Mark Warner a Selfless Mentor
We are all familiar with elastic bands and other soft, rubbery materials, but familiarity should not diminish our surprise at their properties. What other solids can be stretched many times their original length without…
Hamish Kilgour a Freewheeling Musician With Worldly Reach
Hamish Kilgour, a founding member of the New Zealand band the Clean, who was celebrated among fans of underground music for his propulsive drumming and his countercultural approach to life, has died in Christchurch,…
Running Legend Sir Murray Halberg Our Olympic Hero
Sir Murray Halberg, New Zealand Olympic 5000m champion in 1960, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and multiple world record-breaker, has died aged 89, Jason Henderson writes in an obituary for Athletics Weekly. Halberg achieved greatness…
Code of Adobe Engineer Alan McLachlan Lives On
It’s likely Auckland-born Alan McLachlan’s code is running on your computer right now, Lizzy Lawrence writes for tech news site, Protocol. McLachlan, an engineer who helped create the PDF, has died in San Francisco….
New Zealand Mourns Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has remembered Queen Elizabeth II as “extraordinary” in remarks echoed by leaders across the political spectrum as the country marked its first day of mourning for the monarch’s death, Charlotte…
Margaret Urlich a True and Rare Talent
Auckland-born Margaret Urlich, an Aria award-winning singer and one of New Zealand’s most successful musicians, has died at her home in New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, aged 57. Michael Sun of The Guardian looks…
Composer Lyell Cresswell Globally Lauded
As a composer, everything Wellington-born composer Lyell Cresswell produced was pointedly genuine, Ken Walton writes in an obituary for The Scotsman. His output was immense, covering all genres from solo voice and chamber ensemble…
Va’aiga Tuigamala a Huge Presence on the Field
Samoa-born Va’aiga Tuigamala, a former All Black, and rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and Newcastle Falcons dual-code international, has died in Auckland at the age of 52, BBC Sport reports. Tuigamala, nicknamed Inga the…
Rugby League Farewells Legendary Olsen Filipaina
Pioneering Kaikohe-born rugby league great Olsen Filipaina has died at the age of 64. Filipaina was a trailblazer, George Clarke writes in a story published online at Australia’s 7News, becoming one of the first…
Geoff Andrews, Kiwi Connector in the Big Apple
Geoff Andrews, a leader and organizer of the New Zealand community in New York City, died on December 30, 2021, at his home in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, aged 76. He lived in New…
Booker Prize Winner Keri Hulme Always a Storyteller
Keri Hulme, the New Zealander whose 1984 novel The Bone People won the Man Booker Prize, has died at her home in Waimate, South Canterbury. She was 74. Hulme worked as a tobacco picker,…
Billy Apple® a Transformative Pop Artist
Born in Auckland, Barrie George Bates, aka Billy Apple, was “a pioneer in the conceptual art movement whose influence spanned art scenes in London, New York, and New Zealand”. Apple died on 5 September…
Labour Giant Michael Cullen Committed to NZ
Sir Michael Cullen, Helen Clark’s deputy prime minister and the father of New Zealand superannuation, has died in Whakatāne aged 76, Ben McKay reports for a story published in The Canberra Times. Prime Minister Jacinda…
Nine News Legend Brian Henderson Will Live On
Television and radio pioneer Dunedin-born Brian Henderson, who presented Nine’s evening news in Sydney for 46 years, has died, aged 89. Nicole Douglas, of Daily Mail Australia, looks back on his illustrious career. Karl Stefanovic…
He Poroporoaki mo Carl Meredith Bradley. BA. MA Ph.D
Carl Bradley died suddenly last week. Just 52 years of age. He was a friend and colleague. Carl was an Aikido 4th Dan black belt and on an upward trajectory in his sport. He…
Manukura a Blessing and a Unifying Symbol
Manukura, a rare, snow-white kiwi that inspired a children’s book and was the first of its kind ever hatched in captivity has died at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre after multiple surgeries to remove…
Haere Rā Midnight Oil Bassist Bones Hillman
Midnight Oil’s bassist and backing vocalist, New Zealand-born Bones (Wayne) Hillman has died in Milwaukee in the US at the age of 62. His fellow band members said they were “grieving the loss of our…
Bill Gosden Lived and Breathed Film
Bill Gosden, who served as director of the New Zealand International Film Festival for nearly 40 years, has died in Wellington. He was 66. Mike Barnes looks back on Gosden’s illustrious career for The Hollywood…
John Reid a Cricket Player of Uncontested Standing
“ John Reid, who has died aged 92, was in large part responsible for establishing New Zealand as a respected force in world cricket. A superb all-rounder who was the captain and mainstay of…
King of Soul Max Merritt Will Be Greatly Missed
Christchurch-born Max Merritt, the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee best known for his soulful songs “Slippin’ Away” and “Hey, Western Union Man”, has died in Los Angeles. He was 79. Merritt made his mark when…
Mathematician Vaughan Jones a Man Who Knew Knots
“In 1994, Gisborne-born mathematician Vaughan Jones walked on stage to address the Italian national academy in Rome’s Palazzo Corsini, lit a cigar and began to blow smoke rings. With a mischievous grin, he told…
Lock Andy Haden Key Player in AB History
All Blacks lock Andy Haden, who “was an exceptionally talented, intelligent and resilient lock, among the best in the world in his era,” has died in Auckland, aged 69. The Japan Times has published an…
Modest Film Pioneer Bill Gavin’s Epic Career
“Once upon a time, a determined sales agent and production executive could set up a career which would resonate beyond their death. Bill Gavin was a New Zealander who left to report on motor…
Coach George Simpkins Took Rugby to China
New Zealander George Simpkin, Hong Kong’s former head coach and HKRU technical director, who played a major role in the overall development of rugby in China and Asia, has died aged 77, the South…
Hilary Bracefield was a True Polymath
“Writing on a wide range of subjects from Stravinsky to the poetry of her fellow New Zealander Fleur Adcock, my friend and one-time colleague at the University of Ulster, Hilary Bracefield, has died,…
Earth’s Green Flag Flies for Jeanette Fitzsimons
For the decade Sue Bradford spent in parliament as a Green MP, party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons led by example, bringing a quiet but steely determination to everything she did. Bradford writes about the politician,…
Pioneer Troy Collings Made N Korean Connections
New Zealander Troy Collings, whose tour-guide company specialised in taking young budget travellers to forbidding places like North Korea, has died. He was 33. The cause was a heart attack, his company, Young Pioneer Tours,…
Peter Hogg Quietly Shaped Canadian Law
Peter Hogg, a New Zealander who became Canada’s pre-eminent constitutional scholar, was sometimes called the 10th person on that country’s nine-member Supreme Court. Hogg died on 4 February, aged 80. The Globe and Mail’s…
Mike Moore Dedicated his Life to Helping NZ
Mike Moore, who served as New Zealand’s prime minister before leading the World Trade Organisation (WTO) during a tumultuous time when thousands protested in Seattle riots, has died in Auckland. He was 71. Associated…
Haiti Journalist Bernard Diederich a Man of Truth
Christchurch-born Bernard “Bernie” Diederich, a long-time journalist in the Caribbean region who braved dictators and disasters, has died in his adopted homeland of Haiti, The Associated Press reports for a story published in The New…
Sir Peter Snell Sports Champion of the Centuries
Sir Peter Snell, three-time Olympic champion on the track and arguably the greatest runner in the history of New Zealand athletics has died, aged 80, at his home in Dallas, Texas, where he lived…
Moe mai rā Nancy Brunning
One of New Zealand’s best loved actresses Nancy Brunning, made famous as Nurse Jaki on Shortland Street, has died in Wellington, aged 48, Daily Mail Australia reports. Brunning, a talented playwright, acting coach and director,…
Tributes Flow for Randwick Legend Jeff Sayle
Former Wallabies flanker and “Randwick legend”, New Zealand-born Jeff Sayle has died in Sydney aged 77. The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Sayle was an icon of Sydney’s eastern beaches, a beloved member of Coogee Surf…
All Black Brian Lochore One of Our Greatest Players
Former New Zealand captain and World Cup-winning coach Sir Brian Lochore has died aged 78, the BBC reports. An All Blacks player between 1964 and 1971, he made 68 appearances and captained his country on…
Malcolm Black: We Remember Your Smile (1961-2019)
Malcolm Black ONZM, leader singer of the early 1980s anthemic band Netherworld Dancing Toys from Dunedin, died in Auckland on May 10, 2019, aged 58, of cancer diagnosed 18 months previously. NDT’s signature song…
Pua Magasiva, Actor (1980-2019)
Popular television actor Pua Magasiva died on May 11, 2019 aged 38. Born in Samoa but raised in New Zealand, Magasiva played the Red Ranger in 2003’s Power Rangers Ninja Storm as well…
Quentin Pongia, Kiwi Hardman (1970-2019)
Kiwi rugby league legend Quentin Pongia died on May 18, 2019 aged 48, in Greymouth. “Q” represented the Kiwis 35 times and played for the Raiders, Warriors, Roosters and Dragons in Australia between…
Academic George Cawkwell Lived Life to the Full
Auckland-born George Cawkwell, “who has died aged 99, was Scotland’s oldest rugby international having won one cap against France. He was also a distinguished academic, author and teacher in the field of ancient Greek…
Distance Runner Bill Baillie Finishes the Race
Nelson-born athlete William “Bill” Baillie, who once held world records in the now obscure 20,000m and one-hour running events, has died in Auckland. He was 84. At the time Baillie broke the records they had…
