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Nicholas BOYACK Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas BOYACK
32 Entries
Dave Burgess
December 6, 2024
It came as a shock to learn about the death of Nicholas. I worked with him as a journalist, and more recently have collaborated in my role as media manager at Hutt City Council. He was a no-nonsense journalist with a heart of gold, a great sense of humour, and a man of his word, I will miss him.
Graham Bull
November 30, 2024
Sorry to hear, Jonathan about the death of your brother, Nicholas. I met him as a baby when I used to come to your place- Graham Bull
Sarah Gaitanos
November 26, 2024
I am terribly sad to hear that Nicholas has died. I know his work from way back but met him only recently when he started researching his excellent articles on the Sutch Case. I spoke to him not long before he died and hoped to work with him further. He was a thoroughly good bloke with an ear to the ground, a passion for a good story and getting it right. My thoughts are with his friends and family.
Kathy Houkamau
November 26, 2024
On behalf of the Department of Conservation Wairarapa District we send our heartfelt condolences to Nicholas whanau.
Nicholas knew the Tararua Forest Park like the back of his hand. He generously shared his knowledge, experience and passion for tramping and nature with others.
He strongly advocated for Tararua huts through the Tararua Aorangi Remutaka Huts Committee (TARHC) and served as the Chair for several years.
In that role Nicholas was our critic and cheerleader. He held us to account for the benefit of users, and he supported us in our mahi.
Na koutou I tangi, na tatou katoa
Lynne Harrison
November 26, 2024
Sending heartfelt condolences to Louise, Rebecca , Jonathan and the wider Boyack family.
Rest In Peace Nicholas.
Geoff Spearpoint
November 25, 2024
Very sorry to hear Nicholas has died. I knew him through the HV Tramping Club, and he was a considered, helpful, supportive friend who was diligent about accuracy in his stories. He will be missed.
Margaret Cousins
November 25, 2024
Hi Louise. We were sorry to hear of Nicholas's passing. Our sincere sympathy.
Derek Wilshere
November 24, 2024
Nicholas Boyack
Dear Whanau
Nicolas was the quintessential Hutt Journalist.
His dedication to the best of Hutt City was outstanding.
Nothing of significance to his community passed by him and he followed issues to the end. We are truly grateful to him,
His diligence and integrity could not be surpassed.
In recent times he kept his finger on Transport issues like the Melling Interchange, shared paths and three waters issues like our waste water treatment issues.
Most recently as an historian his documentary and history articles on the lives and history of our indigenous people particularly those of the Puketapu whanau represented by Teri and Kara. Much to learn from them.
Nicholas also wrote outstanding obituaries particularly those of people who share his passion for our wild environment and nature.
But his passion went beyond the local and his recognition of the plight of the under privileged youth of our country and with his partrner Louise the plight of the Nepalese people.
Locally during my time on the Eastbourne Community Board and subsequently he showed intelligent and supportive insight on our issues
He was also had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Hutt Valley sport sharing his knowledge and the Hutt News database to underpin our endeavours to establish and continue excellence in recognising achievement for the Hutt Valley Sports Awards.
We all owe him a debt of gratitude.
Nga Mihi Nui
Derek Wilshere
Te Manu Taupua Hutt Valley Sports Awards
Tony & Moira Young
November 24, 2024
Salt and pepper, Yin and yangNicholas and Louise..incredible duos that always belonged together.
Louise, we can only imagine the loss and grief you feel and we share some of it with you.
Thank you for sharing Nicholas with us.. we will remember himalways.
A man of many words, Nicholas could be compassionate, courageous and critical in a single sentence.
So much more than a journalist, he brought huge intellect, analysis and local knowledge to his writing.
Much more than a recorder of events, he was an inquisitor, seeking the meaning, truth and consequences of what he saw. He was fearless in holding people and organisations to account when he felt it necessary. Nicholas always made me reflect on what sort of a journalist that I was, and should have been.
He was Hutt to the heart and local to the core.
Rest easy friend. While your time has been cut short, your legacy will live long.
With our deepest sympathy,
Tony. & Moira Young
Robyn Heyburn
November 24, 2024
I as a child was welcomed as a visitor to the Boyack family.
My husband and I maintained contact with Nicholas through his support to our old friend Bob Law.
Thank you for everything Nicholas.
We send our love to all the family.
Robyn and Keith Heyburn
Maree and Gerard Boyack
November 23, 2024
To Louise and family. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your partner (our cousin) Nicholas. Love Maree and Gerard Boyack.
Jo Miller, CE Hutt City Council on behalf of all HCC staff
November 22, 2024
Taku manawa e kakapa nei nga whetu, ki te marama, ka taka nei ki te rua. Katahi au ka kite i te he, katahi au ka kite i te mate, e taku tau kahurangi ka riro ki tua, ki paerau. Moe mai ra.
On behalf of all of the staff at Hutt City Council we want to thank you Nicholas and we send our condolences to your whanau.
Thank you for your many years of devoted service to our community, highlighting the stories and news that affect all of us in our everyday lives. You have been part of our city´s landscape for decades and we are already missing having you around to talk through the stories that matter most to our people.
For 30 years you covered Hutt City Council stories for the Hutt News, the Dominion Post, Neighbourly and Stuff, and then the Post. Some here have known you for that long. Others have worked with you through council or other organisations.
We looked forward to your calls (mostly!) and you kept us busy with your emails. You liked to sit down and have a korero about the issues of the day. We enjoyed those conversations.
You had incredible determination and stamina to write multiple articles on Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink), housing, Waiwhetu and the Runanga, Epuni Boys´ Home, water leaks, Naenae Pool (now Te Ngaengae Pool), Tupua Horo Nuku (Eastern Bays Shared Path), the hotel, council finances/spending/debt, Annual and Long Term Plans, rubbish and recycling and later stories on the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant amongst many, many others.
You took the time to write about local people and the difference they made in our community. Your obituaries highlighted their achievements, and we all learned a lot from these.
A great conversationalist you could talk about everything and anything. Your passion and support for local sport showed through in your journalism especially in the early days. You helped to re-establish the Hutt Valley Sports Awards which is one of the stand-out events in the calendar celebrating our talented local sportspeople.
From the pitches and playing fields through to the city´s people and places we valued your viewpoint and, although we did not always agree, we appreciated your honesty and persistence.
We also acknowledge the stories you chose not to cover. Instead, you found out the facts and made up your own mind. Thank you for this.
"He raukura kua riro ki te po, kura nui kua titia ki ao kikokiko".
A precious treasure has crossed beyond the veil, leaving behind gifts that continue to bless us all.
Jo Miller - Hutt City Council CE on behalf of all HCC staff.
November 22, 2024
Taku manawa e kakapa nei nga whetu, ki te marama, ka taka nei ki te rua. Katahi au ka kite i te he, katahi au ka kite i te mate, e taku tau kahurangi ka riro ki tua, ki paerau. Moe mai ra.
On behalf of all of the staff at Hutt City Council we want to thank you Nicholas and we send our condolences to your whanau.
Thank you for your many years of devoted service to our community, highlighting the stories and news that affect all of us in our everyday lives. You have been part of our city´s landscape for decades and we are already missing having you around to talk through the stories that matter most to our people.
For 30 years you covered Hutt City Council stories for the Hutt News, the Dominion Post, Neighbourly and Stuff, and then the Post. Some here have known you for that long. Others have worked with you through council or other organisations.
We looked forward to your calls (mostly!) and you kept us busy with your emails. You liked to sit down and have a korero about the issues of the day. We enjoyed those conversations.
You had incredible determination and stamina to write multiple articles on Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink), housing, Waiwhetu and the Runanga, Epuni Boys´ Home, water leaks, Naenae Pool (now Te Ngaengae Pool), Tupua Horo Nuku (Eastern Bays Shared Path), the hotel, council finances/spending/debt, Annual and Long Term Plans, rubbish and recycling and later stories on the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant amongst many, many others.
You took the time to write about local people and the difference they made in our community. Your obituaries highlighted their achievements, and we all learned a lot from these.
A great conversationalist you could talk about everything and anything. Your passion and support for local sport showed through in your journalism especially in the early days. You helped to re-establish the Hutt Valley Sports Awards which is one of the stand-out events in the calendar celebrating our talented local sportspeople.
From the pitches and playing fields through to the city´s people and places we valued your viewpoint and, although we did not always agree, we appreciated your honesty and persistence.
We also acknowledge the stories you chose not to cover. Instead, you found out the facts and made up your own mind. Thank you for this.
"He raukura kua riro ki te po, kura nui kua titia ki ao kikokiko".
A precious treasure has crossed beyond the veil, leaving behind gifts that continue to bless us all.
Charmaine Ullrich
November 22, 2024
Sincere condolences, wish to be remembered in particular to Rebecca whom I went to school with.
Love and regds
Charmaine Ullrich aka(Anne Middleton)
Richard Harmon
November 22, 2024
So sorry to hear about the passing of Nicholas. It's hard to put into words what this loss means, but as I reflect on our time working together at the Wairarapa News and the Hutt News, I'm filled with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. We had so much fun back then, lots of laughter and a few robust debates.
Looking back through the years, I'm left wondering where all the time went.
Sorry for coming to your house, eating your food, drinking your wine and keeping you up half night on a workday. You treated me so well; I will be forever grateful.
Louise, I can't image the weight of loss you're feeling now. Please know you and family are in my thoughts.
Neil Riddle
November 22, 2024
My sympathies to the family on their loss.
I went to school with Rebecca, and met Nicholas when he was a wee fella.
His passing will be in many people's minds at this time.
Lis Cowey
November 22, 2024
My deepest sympathy for your loss on the death of Nicholas. He wrote an excellent obituary this April for my partner Ben Schrader when he died , and I so appreciated his kindness, sympathy and skill in writing a piece that was such a comfort to me. Who could have imagined that Nicholas himself would also be dead by the end of the same year? What a terrible loss to you, his family, but also to the reading public, including myself, who so appreciated his contribution to this region and country. Kia kaha, Lis Cowey
Andy Mac
November 21, 2024
Condolences to family and friends. As a journalist I knew his byline and enjoyed his work; as a military historian, his writings loomed large in the field of NZ WW1 scholarship. His books -- all of which are dog-eared from decades of reading and re-reading -- sit on my shelf, while his collection of WW1 oral history interviews, conducted together with Jane Tolerton, are a rich legacy and a taonga for all of NZ. Thank you, Nicholas, you have give the nation and historians so much.
Wayne Stagg
November 21, 2024
Firstly, my sincere condolences and sympathy to Nicholas Boyak’s whanau, loved ones, and friends on his untimely and sad passing. I knew Nick but slenderly. Our paths crossed briefly in my last year at VUW and before I left Aotearoa in 1991 to teach in the Cook Islands. I have a treasured photo of him taken with Conal McCarthy and Hinemoa Hilliard in a camera shop on Willis Street c1990. Nick was a great mate of my mate, actor Brian Sargent, and had a childhood not dissimilar to ours: from Lower Hutt, ex- Naenae College, and, if I’m not mistaken, an historian with NZ WWI foci like myself, and protege too, of Dr JOC Phillips, VUW History Faculty, who supervised my Hons thesis in 1984. A talented historical writer and journalist whose work was interesting, highly informative and accessible, my memories though brief of Nick, remain strong and treasured.
Sally McGavin
November 21, 2024
Dear Louise... there are no words for the sadness I felt when I heard that Nicholas had died. The years of fun we all had working at the Hutt News were 'the best'. The world has lost a very caring person. Please accept my sincerest condolences x
Janet Regan
November 21, 2024
Louise
We were very sorry to hear of Nicholas´ passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Love Janet and John Regan
Des Schollum (House of Books, Waterloo, Lower Hutt)
November 21, 2024
To Louise and family,
Very sad and shocked to hear of Nicholas's passing. He was one of natures true gentlemen and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days ahead.
Rachel Tallon
November 21, 2024
The Friends of Waiwhetu Stream are very saddened to hear of Nicholas´ passing. He was always interested in our work and we feel like we have lost a real advocate for the stream.
Rachel Tallon on behalf of Friends of Waiwhetu Stream.
Stephen Clarke
November 21, 2024
Aroha nui to family and friends. As Christopher Pugsley has rightly noted here Nicholas's interviews with World War One veterans will be his lasting legacy and one that deserves the thanks of our nation. For me personally, this book inspired me as a historian to consider the impact of war on veterans that morphed into a career supporting our war veterans at the New Zealand RSA. We will remember them, and Nicholas.
Louise cleghorn
November 21, 2024
I will miss Nicholas's articles: always on point, interesting and informative. Always meant to contact him for a chinwag!!
Michelle
November 21, 2024
Deep condolences to your family and much appreciation for your years of reporting around the Hutt. It has meant so much to me as a local to have someone so connected to our area telling our stories and reporting on the issues that are important to us. With the diminishing Hutt News, it has been so good to know you were still working to get these stories out. Thank you.
Sarah
November 21, 2024
Boyack - Ellis picnic, about 1969. Did Nicholas take the photo?
Sarah Davey (nee Ellis)
November 20, 2024
Dear Rebecca, Jonathon and the Boyack whanau,
So sorry to hear of Nicholas´ sudden passing. Thinking of you all as you farewell Rebecca and Jonathon´s "little" brother. Very fond memories of so many wonderful family gatherings and such loving support during our childhood.
With deep sympathy and warm regards,
Sarah
Kimberly Bingham
November 20, 2024
I first met Nicholas through my Comms role with Upper Hutt City Council in 2020. We developed a strong working relationship during that time and spoke regularly about various council news stories. It was always free and frank! But I enjoyed our interactions, and it was lovely to spend time with him in person when we were both at local events over the years. Was really sad to hear the news of his passing, feeling for his family and friends, and will miss seeing his name pop up on my phone.
Robert Ashe
November 20, 2024
I loved seeing my phone light up with Nicholas' caller ID. Either I was in trouble (as a local political figure), or Nicholas needed a scoop. Either way, we'd always spend most of the call talking about our love of tramping and nature. Boy, am I going to miss him. (I'm so sorry for your loss.)
Katie Townshend
November 20, 2024
I was privileged to work with Nicholas for many years at the Dominion Post. He was hard working and tenacious, but more importantly he was always a pleasure to be around. Many young journalists who have worked with him were made better through the experience. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
Christopher Pugsley
November 20, 2024
My sympathy to Louise and family. Nicholas's interviews that he and Jane Tolerton did together with First World War veterans, which are now part of the NZ Oral History Archive, will be his lasting record.
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for Nicholas BOYACK
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