Daring Douglas Wright
(1956-2018)
Revered New Zealand dancer and choreographer Douglas Wright died in Auckland on November 14, 2018, aged 62. He was “undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most magnificent and important artists of…
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Daring Douglas Wright
Filmmaking Pioneer Geoff Murphy Shaped NZ’s National Identity
New Zealand filmmaker Geoff Murphy has died aged 80. He was largely credited with helping to shape the country’s national identity with films like Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu and The Quiet Earth. “Geoff Murphy will…
Peter Peryer One of NZ’s Foremost Photographers
“Peter Peryer, one of New Zealand’s foremost photographers, has died on November 18 at the age of seventy-seven.” Artforum reports. “Peryer’s most recognized image may be Dead Steer, his 1987…
Appreciating the Life and Music of Brent Parker
“Brent Parker, who died aged 84 , was a New Zealand-born composer-pianist and lecturer in pianoforte at the DIT Conservatory of Music whose music was played around the world but whose…
Sabah-Based Wendy Hutton a Prolific Travel Writer
Renowned food and travel writer, New Zealand-born Wendy Hutton, who lived in Malaysia, has died, aged 77. Hutton first set foot in Southeast Asia in 1967, and had worked in the region ever since. Based…
Spencer P. Jones Inspired Countless Musicians
Guitarist, songwriter and storyteller, New Zealander Spencer P. Jones, who forged his name in Australia and overseas with rock ‘n’ roll bands The Johnnys and Beasts of Bourbon, has died. He was 62. Born in…
Respected News Presenter Greg Boyed
“Tributes are flowing in for respected TVNZ broadcaster Greg Boyed, who took his own life on Monday after a battle with depression,” writes Andrew Prentice in an article for the
Kentucky’s Peter Williams a Lauded Equine Artist
New Zealand-born artist Peter Williams, a familiar figure in the paddocks of the most famous racetracks in the world, has died at the age of 84 at his home in Goshen, Kentucky, in the…
He Poroporoaki: Te Rangatira Jack Tuhi
Born 28-11-1958. Died 1-08-2018 Redemption Song On the second to last Monday…
Media Boss Sam Chisholm Nine Network’s Starmaker
New Zealand-born media heavyweight Sam Chisholm has died in Sydney. He was 78. During his four-decade career, Chisholm was head of Australia’s Nine Network and chief executive at Britain’s Sky Television. He was appointed chief…
Sue Paterson, Inspirational Arts Producer
Sue Paterson, the most impactful New Zealand arts producer of this generation, has died in Wellington aged 65 from cancer. Beloved by everyone she worked with, managed and mentored, Sue Paterson was formative in…
“Visionary Agent” & “Theatrical Producer” Harry M Miller
“One of Australia’s most well-known music and entertainment promoters, Harry M Miller, has died, aged 84,” writes Sam Buckingham-Jones in an article for The Australian. “By his side were his…
Dick Quax – “One of His Country’s Greatest Runners”
New Zealand athlete and Auckland councillor Dick Quax, who was “regarded as one of his country’s greatest runners, died on Monday at the age of 70 after a long battle with cancer. The
Top Swim Coach and Olympic Medallist Jan Cameron
“The death of long-serving Australian swimming coach Jan Cameron is being mourned on both sides of the Tasman.” The Sydney Morning Herald reports. “As Swimming Australia’s current para sport mentor coach,…
Ivan Mauger Was the King of Speedway
Speedway legend Ivan Mauger, who won a record six world championships during the 1960s and 1970s, has died at his home on the Gold Coast, Queensland. He was 78. When Christchurch-born Mauger came to the…
Keith Murdoch a Giant Who Never Made It Home
Keith Murdoch, who has died in Australia, aged 74, played just three Tests for the All Blacks, but his name was etched in New Zealand rugby folklore after he became a recluse in the…
Rugby Union Star Dylan Mika Hugely Talented
Former Samoa and All Blacks flanker Dylan Mika has died in Auckland of a heart attack at the age of 45. Mika played two tests for Samoa and seven for the All Blacks who he…
Cricket Legend Bevan Congdon Leaves True Legacy
Motueka-born Bevan Congdon, who captained New Zealand to its first Test win over Australia in 1974, has died a day short of his 80th birthday in Auckland. In total, Congdon played 61 Tests and captained…
Jim Anderton a Towering Figure in Politics
One of New Zealand’s senior political figures, former deputy prime minister Auckland-born Jim Anderton, has died in Christchurch, aged 79. The idealistic former president of New Zealand’s progressive Labour Party became disillusioned with the organisation’s…
Life and Times of Apia Identity Bob Moore
If you’re driving around Apia gazing at the many, multi-storeyed government and company buildings, chances are you’re looking at some of the work of well-known, local identity, Motueka-born Robert (Bob) Arthur Garner, who has…
Roger Corbin’s Daughters Salute Their Dad the Hero
To his daughters, Roger Corbin was Dad. But to many, the New Zealand-born helicopter pilot was a hero. His 11-year-old twin girls have been inundated with support since their dad’s sudden and tragic death in…
Reitu Noble Harris, Kahukura
My friend and leader Reitu Noble Harris, pensioner, was downed by winter pneumonia. Marshalled by Hine Nui Te Po he passed into the long night…
Colin Meads, Revered New Zealand Rugby Star
“Colin Meads, one of New Zealand’s greatest and most revered rugby players, died on Sunday in Te Kuiti, New Zealand, his hometown. He was 81,” writes Huw Richards in an obituary published in the…
All Blacks Great Colin Meads Leaves Mighty Memories
Colin Meads, the famously tough All Blacks captain hailed as New Zealand’s greatest rugby player of the 20th century, has died. He was 81. Cambridge-born Meads played 55 tests among 133 games for New…
New Zealand Mourns Death of Sir John Graham
Sir John Graham, widely known as DJ, has died at the age of 82. Graham was a former All Blacks captain, a respected educator and staunch opponent of apartheid. Graham represented New Zealand 53 times,…
Jockey Brian Andrews’ Amazing Career
Connewarre horseman and Caulfield Cup-winning jockey, New Zealand-born Brian Andrews has died in Melbourne aged 74. Andrews forged a successful career as a jockey in the 1960s and ‘70s, before moving to Melbourne and then…
Satirist John Clarke aka Fred Dagg (68)
New Zealand born “celebrated satirist and comedian John Clarke has died suddenly, aged 68,” reports ABC News. Clarke, who made “his name as a comedian and political satirist in Australia after arriving in…
Sir Douglas Myers, Brewing Magnate and Business Advocate (78)
Sir Douglas Myers, long-time chief executive of Lion Breweries, business advocate and philanthropist has died in London aged 78. “It would be hard to overstate the contribution made by Sir Douglas Myers to making New…
Footrot Flats Creator Murray Ball a National Hero
Murray Ball, the creator of the widely read Footrot Flats cartoon that celebrated rural life in New Zealand, has died in Gisborne at the age of 78. Ball’s immensely popular Footrot Flats strip, starring farmer…
Tributes to Tania Dalton
“Former Silver Fern netballer Tania Dalton has died peacefully in Auckland, nearly a week after suffering a brain aneurysm,” as reported in The Guardian. Dalton suffered the internal aneurysm during a social game of…
How the Outback Shaped Michael Chamberlain’s Life
Christchurch-born Michael Chamberlain, who waged a decades-long battle to prove his baby daughter was killed by a dingo in Australia’s most notorious case of injustice has died in New South Wales. He was 72. Lindy…
Greeting Card Designer Bev Williams’ Final Prank
New Zealand-born Bev Williams, creator of the bestselling “Spring Chicken” range of greeting cards, has died in Sussex, aged 77. The Daily Mail reported the designer really “did go out with a bang” when…
Actor Terence Bayler Was Brian and so Was His Wife
Whanganui-born film, stage and television actor Terence Bayler, known notably for his collaborations with the Monty Python team, has died aged 86. Bayler played Gregory (and other roles) in the controversial Life of Brian –…
Fond Farewell to Formula 1 Hero Chris Amon
Chris Amon, regarded as one of the best Formula One racing car drivers of his generation, has died in Rotorua at age 73. Toronto Star “Wheels” editor Norris McDonald reflects on the life and…
Sportspages Bookseller John Gaustad Lived his Dream
Passionate rugby fan, Wellington-born John Gaustad, who opened the first shop in Britain devoted to sports literature and set up a prize to encourage writers, has died in London. He was 68. Sportspages opened just…
Adventurer and Inspirational Bone Disease Campaigner Samuel Gibson
Samuel Gibson, an inspirational adventurer and brittle bone disease campaigner has died, aged 39, after suffering a ‘devastating’ head injury while competing in a half marathon, as reported in The Daily Mail. The…
Violinist Alan Loveday
Violinist Alan Loveday has passed away on April 12, aged 88. He was “renowned for his rich, warm tone, impeccable technique and purity of intonation,” as well as for being a highly adaptable musician,…
Artist Melvin Day Brought a Cubist Edge to New Zealand
Artist Melvin Day, who gave his post-war landscapes, still lifes and images of Maori meetings a cubist sensibility, has died aged 92. Day studied at the Courtauld Institute in London under the Cambridge spy Anthony Blunt,…
Decorated WWII Fighter Pilot Keith Thiele
Squadron Leader Keith Thiele, who has died in Sydney aged 94, was decorated four times as a bomber and a fighter pilot and was one of only four New Zealand-born airmen to earn three…
Norman Harris – Not Bad for an Old Jogger
New Zealand-born sportswriter Norman Harris, organiser of London’s Sunday Times National Fun Run, and quite possibly the inventor of the word “jogger”, has died in Britain. He was 75. Harris worked as a sports reporter…
Hello Sailor Frontman Graham Brazier
Dave Dobbyn is one of a number of local artists who have paid tribute to Hello Sailor frontman Graham Brazier (pictured centre), who has died in Auckland aged 63. Dobbyn described Brazier as the consummate…
McLaren Stalwart, Kiwi Phil Kerr
New Zealander Phil Kerr, an instrumental figure in the formative years of McLaren, has died in Auckland aged 80. Born in Auckland in 1934, the Kiwi became friends with Bruce McLaren when competing in hillclimb…
Hero of the Skies Gordon Vette
Alwyn Gordon Vette, a New Zealand pilot whose independent analysis of the 1972 Air New Zealand airplane crash in Antarctica helped to identify an important hazard in Arctic flying, has died in Auckland. He…
The Last Dambuster Pilot
John Leslie Munro, the last surviving pilot and one of the final surviving members of the famous 617 Squadron from the legendary Dambusters raids against Nazi Germany, has died at the age of 96…
Diplomatic Businessman Sir John Buchanan
Sir John Buchanan, who has died aged 72, was an Auckland-born scientist who rose to be finance director at BP before taking on prominent non-executive board roles in sectors ranging from mining, most recently…
Legacy of Visionary Entrepreneur Catalyzes NY’s Park Avenue Armory
The family of Wade Thompson, the Wellington, New Zealand native who revitalized the US recreational vehicle industry in the 1980s, has gifted New York City’s Park Avenue Armory with an historic $65…
Family Pays Tribute to Dapper Tailor Peter Rigby
Well-known Lower Hutt tailor Peter Rigby, who made clothes for many New Zealand plays and films, including Utu, The Frighteners, Goodbye Pork Pie and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has died, aged 81. Born…
Rugby World Mourns Former All Black Jerry Collins
Reaction has poured in from the rugby world with the death of former All Blacks captain Jerry Collins, a “giant of the world game”, who died in a car crash in France. He was…
Gary Brain’s Change of Fortune Made Him World-Class Conductor
Internationally renowned conductor and percussionist, Palmerston North-born Gary Brain has died in Paris. He was 72. In 1989 Brain was the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s highly regarded principal percussionist and timpanist. He had already been…
Jack Body Leaves Us with His Asia-Inspired Music
Te Aroha-born composer and music academic Jack Body, whose work was influenced by the music of Asia, has died in Wellington at the age of 70. Body studied at Auckland University and in Germany and…
Richie Benaud’s career made possible by Timaru pharmicist
The cricketing career of Richie Benaud – Australian captain and the first man to take 200 wickets and score 2,000 runs in Tests – was had a critical intervention by Timaru chemist Ivan James….
For Brian Sutton-Smith Play Nothing Less than Existential Necessity
Wellington-born developmental psychologist Brian Sutton-Smith, who wrote or edited more than 50 books and was among the first academics to treat the study of play as a rigorous discipline, has died in Vermont, in…
Esteemed Middle-earth Location Scout Dave Comer
Dave Comer, who selected many of the spectacular New Zealand locations for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies for director Peter Jackson, has died aged 58. Comer started out as a still…
Peter Gutteridge – One of NZ Music’s Spiky Heroes
In a scene of unsung heroes, one of the least sung will be making no more music, changing no more lives from his place on the periphery. Peter Gutteridge – described as “a true…
Richard Burton Couldn’t Beat George Silk on a Photo Call
In 1993, New Zealand-born LIFE photojournalist George Silk was asked by American photographer John Loengard if in his long career, Silk had been “willing to pose pictures.” Silk’s reply is worth setting down here in…
Tributes for Trailblazing Producer Caterina De Nave
The film and television industry has lost “a major figure in the New Zealand television landscape” in Caterina De Nave, who passed away on the weekend, following a long battle with illness, aged 67. De…
