Sir David Gascoigne: key obituary facts
Is Sir David Gascoigne dead? Yes. Sir David Gascoigne died on October 26, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Sir David Gascoigne's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Sir David Gascoigne known for?
He was a New Zealand lawyer and statesman (1940–2026).
More about Sir David Gascoigne
Born: 15 January 1940.
Place of birth: Wairau Valley.
Gender: male.
Occupation: lawyer.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Education: Victoria University of Wellington.
Awards: Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Commander of the Order of Saint John, Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Spouse: Patsy Reddy.
Also known as: Sir David Rendel Kingston Gascoigne, Sir David Gascoigne, David Rendel Kingston Gascoigne.
Sir David Rendel Kingston Gascoigne, a New Zealand lawyer and former judicial conduct commissioner who served as viceregal consort from 2016 to 2021, died October 26, 2026, aged 86.
Born on January 15, 1940, in Wairau Valley on New Zealand’s South Island, he was the son of Keith and Dorothy Gascoigne. His family moved to Blenheim, where he received most of his schooling.
At Marlborough College, he was dux, the school’s leading scholar. Gascoigne studied at Victoria University of Wellington and graduated with a Master of Laws degree in 1964. His legal career included service as a judicial conduct commissioner. He was married to Dame Patsy Reddy, who served as New Zealand’s 21st governor-general from 2016 to 2021; during her term, Gascoigne held the role of viceregal consort. His distinctions included the Knight Companion and Distinguished Companion classes of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Commander of the Order of the British Empire and Commander of the Order of St John. He also held the postnominal QSO. The honors were reflected in the postnominals used with his name: KNZM, CBE, QSO and CStJ.