Colin Wilson passes away at age 54
Colin Wilson, the Australian heavyweight boxer known as “Kid Coalminer,” died on October 5, 2026, aged 54. Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, on April 18, 1972, Wilson made his…
Famous Dead People from New Zealand
Over 1,000 obituaries for famous people from New Zealand who died. Additional info, news, and memorial pages.
Obituary: Robert Kururangi, dead at age 69
Robert Kururangi, a New Zealand rugby union player, died on October 2, 2026, aged 69. A wing, he represented Counties at provincial level and was part of the New Zealand…
Adrian Rurawhe dies at age 64
Adrian Rurawhe, a New Zealand politician and Labour Party MP from 2014 to 2026, died on September 30, 2026, aged 64. Also known as Adrian Paki Rurawhe, he served as…
Phil Gifford has died at age 79
Phil Gifford, the New Zealand sportswriter and broadcaster associated with The Sunday Star-Times and Radio Sport, died on September 29, 2026, aged 79. He was a familiar voice on Radio…
Peter Barrett dead at age 86
Peter Barrett, the New Zealand geologist known for the discovery of the first tetrapod fossils in Antarctica, died on September 26, 2026, aged 86. Born in Hamilton on August 11,…
Sir John Mace dies at 94
Sir John Mace, the New Zealand army officer who served as Chief of the General Staff from 1984 to 1987 and as Chief of Defence Staff from 1987 until his…
Cameron Bell, died aged 87
Cameron Bell, a New Zealand rugby league coach, died on September 20, 2026, aged 87. Also known as Cameron Wilson Bell and Cam Bell, he was part of the Bell…
Ginger Molloy passed away at age 88
Ginger Molloy, a New Zealand motorcycle racer, died on September 17, 2026, aged 88. Born in Gisborne on December 25, 1937, he became a Grand Prix road racer who competed…
John Broughton, died aged 78
John Broughton, the New Zealand academic and playwright, died on September 15, 2026, aged 78. Also known as John Renata Broughton and John R. Broughton, he was a Māori dental…
Jim Peters, died aged 88
Jim Peters, the New Zealand politician and former MP who served from 2002 to 2005, died on September 15, 2026, aged 88. Born James Leonard Peters in Kawakawa in 1937,…
Death of Dame Margaret Clark at age 85
Dame Margaret Clark, a New Zealand political scientist, died on September 11, 2026, aged 85. Born in Wellington on 28 January 1941, she became a leading political science academic and…
Obituary: Peter Thompson, dead at age 73
Peter Thompson, an Australian broadcast journalist and educator, died on September 11, 2026, aged 73. Born in Sydney in 1952, he built a career in Australian broadcasting and later worked…
Margaret Bedggood has died at age 87
Margaret Bedggood, the New Zealand legal scholar and former chief human rights commissioner, died on September 8, 2026, aged 87. Born Margaret Ann Bedggood in Takapuna on April 10, 1939,…
Barry Cleavin passes away at age 86
Barry Cleavin, a New Zealand printmaker and artist, died on September 6, 2026, aged 86. Born in Dunedin in 1939, he attended King’s High School before moving to Christchurch in…
Jason Walker passed away at age 56
Jason Walker, the New Zealand-Australian country musician and writer, died on September 4, 2026, aged 56. Born Jason Peter Walker in New Zealand in 1969, he began his career in…
John Hastie dies at 93
John Blair Robert Hastie, a New Zealand cricket umpire, died on September 1, 2026, aged 93. Born in Te Awamutu on November 8, 1932, he stood in seven Test matches…
Joggie Jansen obituary: died at age 78
Joggie Jansen, the South African rugby union player known as Joachim Scholtz Jansen, died on August 30, 2026, aged 78. Born in Griekwastad on February 5, 1948, he played provincial…
Neil Walter obituary: died at age 83
Neil Walter, a New Zealand public servant and diplomat who served as Administrator of Tokelau, died on August 29, 2026, aged 83. Known formally as Neil Douglas Walter CNZM, he…
Obituary: Richard Hayward, dead at age 72
Richard Hayward, the English cricketer, died on August 27, 2026, aged 72. Born in Ickenham, Middlesex, on 15 February 1954, he played first-class cricket in England for Hampshire and in…
Brian Smith has died 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…
Ana Noovao died 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…
Riemke Ensing, died aged 87
Riemke Ensing, a New Zealand poet, died on August 10, 2026, aged 87. Born in Groningen in the Netherlands, she moved to New Zealand in 1951 and went on to…
Death of Piston van Wyk 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…
Wayne Martin death at age 73
Wayne Martin, a New Zealand cricketer, died on August 4, 2026, aged 73. Also known as Kenneth Wayne Martin, he was born in New Plymouth on April 28, 1953. Martin…
Vic Matthews passed away at age 92
Vic Matthews, the British hurdler and decathlete also known as Victor Charles Matthews, died on August 3, 2026, aged 92. Born in Motspur Park, London, he competed at the 1960…
Erik Olssen has died 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 has died at age 63
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
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 dies at 94
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 died 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 has died 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 dies at 78
Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor known for leading roles in film and television, died on July 13, 2026, aged 78. Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, he moved…
Death of Karl Lovell 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 obituary: died 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 has died 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…
Death of Les Mills at age 91
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, died aged 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
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 death 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…
Obituary: 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 death 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 dies 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…
Yoshiharu Yamaguchi died 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,…
Death of Sidney Moko Mead 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…
Dame Jools Topp passes away 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 death 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 dies at age 89
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…
Death of Alan Morton 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 death at age 88
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 passes away 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 dies at 83
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, died aged 80
Frances Granger died on April 29, 2026. Tags Athletes, 29 April 2026, Frances, Granger, April 2026, April 29, New Zealand
Carla Van Zon passed away 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, died aged 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 obituary: died at age 69
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 passes away 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 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…
Death of Cleighten Cornelius 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 dies at 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 passes away 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…
Death of Jack Harliwich 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 has died 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 dies 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…
Obituary: Catherine Saunders, 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 dies 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 has died 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 dead at age 98
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…
Death of Trevor McMahon 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 dies at 91
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 dies at -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 dies 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 passed away 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 passed away 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 obituary: died 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 died 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…
Obituary: Ray Webster, 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 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 died 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 dies 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 dies at 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 has died 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…
Death of Tony Pigott at age 67
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 dies at age -1
British-born New Zealand poet Died on Tuesday January 27th 2026
Richard Wixon passes away at age 68
New Zealand cricketer Died on Monday January 26th 2026
Obituary: Helen Leach, dead at age 80
New Zealand food anthropologist Died on Sunday January 25th 2026
Alan Musgrave dies at age 85
British-born New Zealand philosopher Died on Saturday January 24th 2026
Justin Taylor dies at 82
New Zealand priest and historian Died on Wednesday January 21st 2026
Grant Batty death at age 74
New Zealand rugby union player (Wellington Died on Saturday January 17th 2026
Aroha Awarau obituary: died at age -1
New Zealand playwright Died on Wednesday January 14th 2026
Death of Sir Tim at age 78
New Zealand politician Died on Thursday January 8th 2026
Jules Radich, died aged 71
New Zealand politician Died on Sunday January 4th 2026