Brian Smith dead at age 59
Brian Smith, the Australian rugby union and league player who represented both Australia and Ireland in rugby union,
died on August 12, 2026, aged 59. Smith, whose full name was…
Famous Dead People from New Zealand
Over 1,000 obituaries for famous people from New Zealand who died. Additional info, news, and memorial pages.
Ana Noovao dead at age 58
Ana Noovao, a New Zealand netball player and former captain of the national team,
died on August 10, 2026, aged 58. A New Zealand international, she first came to prominence…
Piston van Wyk dead at age 82
Piston van Wyk, the South African rugby union player who represented Northern Transvaal, Natal and the Springboks,
died on August 9, 2026, aged 82. Born Jacobus Frederick Beatrix van Wyk…
Erik Olssen dead at age 84
Erik Olssen, the New Zealand historian whose work examined the links between social structures, politics and ideas,
died on July 29, 2026, aged 84. Born in Hamilton on December 14,…
David Trewavas dead at age 63, New Zealand politician, mayor of Taupō
David Trewavas, the New Zealand politician who served as mayor of Taupō from 2013 to 2025,
died on July 28, 2026, aged 63. He led the Taupō District Council as…
Jim Hopkins dead at age 79, New Zealand broadcaster and politician, member of the Waitaki District…
Jim Hopkins, the New Zealand broadcaster and politician who served on the Waitaki District Council,
died on July 27, 2026, aged 80. Born on January 1, 1946, Hopkins was known…
Sir John Henry dead at age 94, New Zealand jurist, judge of the Court of Appeal
Sir John Henry, a New Zealand jurist and judge of the Court of Appeal,
died on July 24, 2026. He served on the Court of Appeal from 1991 to 2004,…
Dame Helene Quilter dead
Dame Helene Quilter, a retired New Zealand public servant,
died on July 24, 2026. She served as deputy commissioner at the State Services Commission from 2007 to 2012, where she…
Robert Wiremu dead at age 55
Robert Wiremu, a New Zealand composer and baritone singer,
died on July 18, 2026, aged 55. Also known as Robert Spencer Wiremu, he was a music educator and choral director…
Bill Birch dead at age 92
Bill Birch, the New Zealand politician who served as minister of finance from 1993 to 1999,
died on July 17, 2026. Born in Hastings on April 9, 1934, he was…
Ronald Trubuhovich dead at age 97
Ronald Trubuhovich, a New Zealand medical doctor and pioneer of critical care medicine in New Zealand,
died on July 16, 2026, aged 97. Known as Ronald Valentine Trubuhovich, he was…
Siva Afi dead at age 77
Siva Afi, the Samoan professional wrestler best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation in the late 1980s,
died on July 16, 2026. Born Max Amata Taogaga in…
Sam Neill dead at age 78
Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films,
died on July 13, 2026. He was 78. Born Nigel John Dermot…
Karl Lovell dead at age 48
Karl Lovell, a New Zealand rugby league footballer,
died on July 11, 2026. Born on December 9, 1977, in Auckland, he played in the National Rugby League for the Parramatta…
Derryn Hinch dead at age 82
Derryn Hinch, the New Zealand-born Australian media personality and politician,
died on July 10, 2026, aged 82. Born Derryn Nigel Hinch in New Plymouth on February 9, 1944, he built…
Dame Deirdre Milne dead at age 87
Dame Deirdre Milne
died on July 8, 2026. She was a New Zealand barrister. Tags Lawyers, 08 July 2026, Dame, Gemini, Milne, July 2026, July 8, New Zealand
Robbie Francevic dead at age 84
Robbie Francevic
died on July 6, 2026. He was a New Zealand racing driver. Francevic was 84. Tags Athletes, 06 July 2026, Francevic, Robbie, Virgo, July 2026, July 6, New…
Les Mills dead at age 91, New Zealand shot put and discus thrower, and politician
Les Mills, a New Zealand shot put and discus thrower and politician,
died on June 29, 2026, aged 91. Born Leslie Roy Mills in Auckland on November 1, 1934, he…
Bob Blair dead at age 94
Bob Blair, the New Zealand cricketer known as Robert William Blair,
died on June 23, 2026, at the age of 94. Born in Petone on June 23, 1932, he played…
Bob Jolly dead at age 95, New Zealand veterinary scientist, Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zeal…
Bob Jolly, a New Zealand veterinary scientist and academic,
died on June 18, 2026, aged 95. Born Robert Dudley Jolly in Hamilton on October 1, 1930, he built his career…
David Kinsella dead at age 89
David Kinsella, the New Zealand cricket umpire and former player,
died on June 16, 2026, aged 89. Born in New Plymouth on February 23, 1937, David Arthur Kinsella stood in…
Roger Cook dead at age 83
Roger Cook, the New Zealand-born British investigative journalist and television broadcaster known for The Cook Report,
died on June 13, 2026, aged 83. Born on April 6, 1943, he was…
Antonius Agus Sriyono dead at age 69
Antonius Agus Sriyono, an Indonesian diplomat who served as ambassador to New Zealand from 2010 to 2013 and to the Holy See from 2016 to 2020,
died on June 4,…
Whatarangi Winiata dead at age 92
Whatarangi Winiata, a New Zealand Māori academic and founder of Te Wānanga o Raukawa,
died on June 3, 2026, at the age of 92. A leading Māori leader, he served…
Sidney Moko Mead dead at age 99
Sidney Moko Mead, a New Zealand Māori anthropologist and historian,
died on May 29, 2026. He was 99. Born in Wairoa on January 8, 1927, Mead was also known as…
Yoshiharu Yamaguchi dead at age 83
Yoshiharu Yamaguchi, the Japanese rugby union player who represented his national team,
died on May 29, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on February 15, 1943, in Mihama, Fukui,…
Dame Jools Topp dead at age 68
Dame Jools Topp, the New Zealand musician and comedian known as one half of the Topp Twins,
died on May 23, 2026, aged 68. A performer active from 1975 to…
Bob Andrews dead at age 90
Bob Andrews, the English-New Zealand motorcycle speedway rider who competed for Wimbledon Dons, Cradley Heathens and the New Zealand national team,
died on May 22, 2026, aged 90. Born in…
Tamati Reedy dead at age 89, New Zealand Māori academic, rugby union player, and public servant
Sir Tamati Reedy, a New Zealand Māori academic, rugby union player and public servant,
died on May 21, 2026. Born in Ruatoria in 1936, he served as secretary of the…
Arthur Lewis dead at age 84
Arthur Lewis, a Welsh rugby union player and electrician,
died on May 20, 2026, aged 84. Born Arthur John Llewellyn Lewis in Crumlin, Caerphilly, Wales, on September 26, 1941, he…
Alan Morton dead at age 91
Alan Morton, an Australian rugby union player and leading sport scientist,
died on May 15, 2026, aged 91. Born in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, on September 10, 1934, he attended…
Kenneth Keith dead at age 88, New Zealand jurist and legal scholar, judge of the International Cour…
Kenneth Keith, a New Zealand jurist and legal scholar who served as a judge of the International Court of Justice from 2006 to 2015,
died on May 13, 2026, at…
Mark Smythe dead, 53 New Zealand-born American composer, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Mark Smythe
died on May 9, 2026, at the age of 53 from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was a New Zealand-born American composer known for Daddy's Little Girl, Unfallen, and…
Bill Smalley dead at age 83
Bill Smalley
died on May 5, 2026. He was a New Zealand cricketer. Tags Athletes, 05 May 2026, Bill, Smalley, May 2026, May 5, New Zealand
Geoff Stedman dead at age 83, New Zealand physicist, Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Geoff Stedman, a New Zealand physicist,
died on May 3, 2026, aged 83. He was known for his work on ring lasers and had research interests including the foundations of…
Frances Granger dead at age 80
Frances Granger
died on April 29, 2026. Tags Athletes, 29 April 2026, Frances, Granger, April 2026, April 29, New Zealand
Carla Van Zon dead at age 74
Carla Van Zon, a New Zealand artistic director,
died on April 29, 2026, aged 74. Born Carla Marja Olga van Zon in Te Atatū on January 20, 1952, she worked…
Richard Neutze dead at age 56
Richard Neutze
died on April 28, 2026. Tags Other, 28 April 2026, Neutze, Richard, April 2026, April 28, New Zealand
Paul Standidge dead at age 92
Paul Standidge, a New Zealand cricketer,
died on April 21, 2026, aged 92. Born in Wellington on April 1, 1934, he played four first-class matches for Wellington in the 1957/58…
Adrienne Staples New Zealand politician, mayor of South Wairarapa and member of the Greater Welling…
Adrienne Staples, a New Zealand politician and former mayor of South Wairarapa,
died on April 19, 2026, aged 69–70. Born in Featherston in 1956 or 1957, she served as mayor…
Mark Carrington dead at age 64
Mark Carrington, a New Zealand cricketer who played for Northern Districts,
died on April 16, 2026, aged 64. Born Sidney Mark Carrington on August 19, 1961, in Gisborne, he played…
Ned New Zealand snail dies
Ned, a New Zealand snail known for its left-spiralling shell,
died on April 15, 2026. Ned was discovered in August 2025 in the garden of Giselle Clarkson in the Wairarapa,…
Peter Lynn New Zealand engineer and kite maker, cancer dead at age 79
Peter Lynn, a New Zealand engineer, kite maker and inventor,
died on April 11, 2026, at the age of 79 after cancer. He was born Peter Robert Lynn in 1946…
Cleighten Cornelius New Zealand cricketer and winemaker, myeloma dead at age 49
Cleighten Cornelius, a New Zealand cricketer and winemaker,
died on April 11, 2026, aged 49, in Blenheim, New Zealand, from myeloma. Born in Christchurch on June 2, 1976, he played…
Sir Alan Frampton New Zealand agricultural economist dead at age 96
Sir Alan Frampton, a New Zealand agricultural economist,
died on April 10, 2026, aged 96. Born in Morrinsville on 2 November 1929, he completed a master’s degree at Massey University…
Ian Rutherford New Zealand cricketer dead at age 68
Ian Rutherford, a New Zealand cricketer who played for Otago, Central Districts and Central Otago,
died on April 2, 2026, aged 68. Born in Dunedin on June 30, 1957, Ian…
Jack Harliwich New Zealand cricketer dead at age 95
Jack Harliwich, a New Zealand cricketer,
died on April 1, 2026, aged 95. Born in Christchurch on July 14, 1930, he was a right-arm medium pacer who played one first-class…
Barry Curtis public figure dead at age 87
Sir Barry John Curtis, a New Zealand politician and former mayor of Manukau City, died in Invalid Date, aged 87. He served as mayor from 1983 to 2007, and when…
Dallas O’Neill Australian rugby league and union player dead at age 83
Dallas O'Neill, an Australian rugby league and rugby union player,
died on March 28, 2026, aged 83. Born in Mackay, Queensland, O'Neill was an Australian rugby union international who represented…
Catherine Saunders Broadcaster dead at age 83
Catherine Saunders, New Zealand broadcasting personality, public relations executive and radio producer,
died on March 25, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand, aged 83. Born Catherine Rosaleen Dowling in Dunedin on…
Andrew Pawley Linguist dead at age 84
Andrew Pawley, an Australian linguist and academic,
died on March 22, 2026, at the age of 84. Andrew Kenneth Pawley was an Australian–New Zealand linguist who served as a professor…
John Coley Painting, art criticism, curation and art administration dead at age 91
John Coley, a New Zealand painter and art critic,
died on March 17, 2026, aged 91. John William Coley MBE was born in Palmerston North on 28 January 1935. He…
Ann Gluckman First female principal of a state co-educational secondary school in New Zealand dead…
Ann Gluckman, a New Zealand educator, writer and historian,
died on March 13, 2026, aged 98. Born Ann Jocelyn Klippel in London in 1927, she was appointed principal of Ngā…
Trevor McMahon New Zealand test cricketer dead at age 96
Trevor McMahon, a New Zealand Test cricketer and wicket-keeper,
died on March 12, 2026, aged 96. Born in Wellington on November 8, 1929, he played five Test matches for New…
Nev MacEwan New Zealand rugby union player
Nev MacEwan, a New Zealand rugby union player,
died on March 11, 2026, aged 91. Born Ian Neven MacEwan in Auckland on May 1, 1934, he was educated at Nelson…
Herbs New Zealand musician dead at age -1
Herbs, the New Zealand reggae group founded in 1979,
died on March 8, 2026. The multi-ethnic band featured Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, New Zealand Europeans and Māori members. Led by…
Nathan Healey New Zealand runner dead at age 76
Nathan Henry Healey, a New Zealand runner,
died on March 6, 2026. He specialised in the 3000 metres steeplechase and cross country, won three national titles, and represented New Zealand…
Philip Trusttum New Zealand figurative expressionist artist dead at age 85
Philip Trusttum, the New Zealand figurative expressionist artist,
died on March 4, 2026, aged 85. Born in Raetihi on June 9, 1940, he moved with his family to Christchurch in…
Neville Peat Author, photographer dead at age 78
Neville Peat, New Zealand natural history writer and photographer,
died on March 1, 2026, aged 78. Born in Dunedin in 1947, he was based at Broad Bay on the Otago…
Robin Jefferson New Zealand cricketer dead at age 84
Robin Jefferson, a New Zealand cricketer and lawn bowls player,
died on February 26, 2026, aged 84. Born in Christchurch in 1941, he made his representative debut for Southland in…
Mayor of Timaru New Zealand politician dead at age 93
Mayor of Timaru, the directly elected head of the Timaru District Council in New Zealand,
died on February 15, 2026. The office is the local government authority for the Timaru…
Ray Webster Aviation executive dead at age 79
Ray Webster, the New Zealand-born British businessman who served as chief executive of easyJet from 1996 to 2005,
died on February 14, 2026, aged 79. Born Raymond Douglas Webster in…
Pip Cheshire Architect dead at age 75
Pip Cheshire, a New Zealand architect,
died on February 11, 2026, aged 75. Philip Maxwell Cheshire was one of the founding directors of Jasmax and later founded Cheshire Architects. He…
Matz Skoog Swedish ballet dancer and artistic director dead at age 68
Matz Skoog, the Swedish ballet dancer and artistic director,
died on February 10, 2026. Born in Stockholm on April 10, 1957, he trained with the Royal Swedish Ballet School. He…
Anne Gambrill New Zealand lawyer and judge dead at age 91
Anne Gambrill, a New Zealand lawyer and judge,
died on February 10, 2026, aged 91. Born Anne Gertrude Shorland in Wellington in 1934, she was the first woman to sit…
Selwyn Cushing Businessman dead at age 89
Selwyn Cushing, a New Zealand businessman and accountant,
died on February 10, 2026, aged 89. Sir Selwyn John Cushing was born in Hastings on 1 September 1936 and was educated…
John Terris Broadcaster dead at age 86
John James Terris, a New Zealand politician, Anglican priest and broadcaster,
died on February 2, 2026, aged 86. He represented the Labour Party in the New Zealand parliament from 1978…
Tony Pigott English cricketer
Tony Pigott, the English cricketer who played for Sussex and Surrey and appeared in one Test for England in 1984,
died on February 1, 2026, aged 67. Born in Fulham,…
Iain Sharp
British-born New Zealand poet
Died on Tuesday January 27th 2026
Richard Wixon
New Zealand cricketer
Died on Monday January 26th 2026
Helen Leach
New Zealand food anthropologist
Died on Sunday January 25th 2026
Alan Musgrave
British-born New Zealand philosopher
Died on Saturday January 24th 2026
Justin Taylor
New Zealand priest and historian
Died on Wednesday January 21st 2026
Grant Batty
New Zealand rugby union player (Wellington
Died on Saturday January 17th 2026
Aroha Awarau
New Zealand playwright
Died on Wednesday January 14th 2026
Sir Tim Shadbolt
New Zealand politician
Died on Thursday January 8th 2026
Jules Radich
New Zealand politician
Died on Sunday January 4th 2026
Dame Karen Poutasi
New Zealand public health official
Died on Thursday January 1st 2026
Garrick Tremain
New Zealand cartoonist
Died on Sunday December 28th 2025
Robert Smellie
New Zealand High Court judge
Died on Saturday December 27th 2025
Alan Marley
New Zealand footballer (national team)
Died on Monday December 22nd 2025
Garry Smith
New Zealand rugby league player (West Coast
Died on Tuesday December 16th 2025
Brent McLachlan
New Zealand drummer (Bailter Space)
Died on Thursday December 11th 2025
Ross Morrison
New Zealand cricketer (Auckland) and tennis administrator
Died on Thursday December 11th 2025
Bill Sutton
British-born New Zealand politician
Died on Sunday December 7th 2025
Alistar Jordan
New Zealand cricketer
Died on Saturday November 29th 2025
Gary Williams
New Zealand cricketer (Otago)
Died on Wednesday November 19th 2025
Garry Williams
New Zealand cricketer
Died on Saturday November 15th 2025
Donald McIntyre
New Zealand opera singer
Died on Friday November 14th 2025
Lee Tamahori
New Zealand film director (Once Were Warriors
Died on Tuesday November 11th 2025
Roger McClay
New Zealand politician
Died on Tuesday November 11th 2025
So You Think
New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred racehorse
Died on Monday October 20th 2025
Graham Bell
New Zealand police officer and television show host (Police Ten 7)
Died on Wednesday October 8th 2025
John E. Braggins
New Zealand botanist and bryologist
Died on Monday October 6th 2025
Nigel Latta
New Zealand psychologist and author
Died on Tuesday September 30th 2025
Alison Drower
Australian TV and radio presenter (MTV (Australia and New Zealand)
Died on Monday September 29th 2025
Judy Burke
New Zealand tennis player
Died on Friday September 26th 2025
Bruce Morrison
New Zealand cricketer (Wellington
Died on Wednesday September 24th 2025
David H. Clark
New Zealand-born British astrophysicist and science administrator
Died on Friday September 19th 2025