Kay HOLDER Obituary

On behalf of the Ferrymead Pony Club, we want to send our condolences to Kay´s family. At our recent meeting we acknowledged the sad passing of a member of our Pony Club where she rode with friends for many years

Sending deepest condolences at this sad time.
Kay was a committed student of yoga and her community will miss her positive and inspirational energy.
Thoughts and prayers to all her family at this time.

I remember Kay as an immense leader at Christchurch City Council. A women to look up to as a young women in the Parks industry, and one of the coolest humans arounds too. I have no doubt you'll be hugely missed by many Kay. It was a pleasure to have known you. Kia kaha to your whanau.

Deepest Sympathies to Kay's family. Over the years, we have very much appreciated her support of the eco-restoration work on Otamahua/Quail Island. Dealing with Kay on CCC business was always a pleasure and I had a huge respect for the work she did on behalf of our city. Barbara Price on behalf of the Trustees of Otamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust

Kay was the first Woman Ranger when she joined our staff at Arthur's Pass National Park. A studious and devoted person who fitted in perfectly as aTeam Player and wasn'r averse to putting 'Blokes' in their place occasionally. She will be greatly missed and is fondly remembered by our children who were young at the time. Condolences to Col and family. Ian and Marie Blackmore ex Chief Ranger. APNP.

My sincere condolences to Col and family. We all lived in Arthur´s Pass village together over 30 years ago when our children were all young. You will be so missed Kay by your colleagues and family. Was so lovely re-connecting the weekend of the Otira Viaduct. RIP Carol Walmsley (former Johnson)

My condolences to Kay's family. I connected with Kay over our interest in oral history and our love for the outdoors espeically Arthur's Pass. While we didn't stay in contact it was lovely to know a kindered spirit and I know she will be missed.

Kay was a rare wahine with an unassuming grace. She was a friend and role model to me since I arrived in Christchurch 15 years ago, whether stomping up the Bridle Path, adventuring in the back country or running a meeting. Someone who knew what she wanted in life and what made her happy. I enjoyed that our paths often crossed: on the bike track, on her visits to her whanau, on the streets of Heathcote, visits to the same places and huts. I will miss that.

My special memory of her that I would like to share is the day she turned up at my house to show off Otis. I will never forget the beaming smile, pure joy and pride on her face. Never was there a happier grandma!

Kay, thank you for your friendship, for the lonely times we shared in 2018 when everyone else was at work, for the strawberry plants, for the unannounced visits, the cups of tea, for the inspiration to live life well, for the support when I was ill, for showing me how to be brave. I will miss you.

I remember Kay as a real 'force of nature' from my time in Arthur's Pass. Condolences to Col, whanau and friends.

Last week the Christchurch park ranger community, and many others, have been deeply saddened by the passing of Kay Holder, Manager of our Regional Parks team.

Kay started at the Christchurch City Council 27 years ago, after a significant period at Arthurs Pass Nat. Park. She started as the co-ordinator of our Coast Care Programme - a community-based project established to restore degraded coastal habitats. Her leadership and management capabilities were duly recognized by promotions.

She had been an early graduate of the then Lincoln College Parks Diploma course.

Some of her outstanding achievements include securing Ministry of Education funding to start our LEOTC programme with Rangers and teachers to provide environmental education to schools, she won Lottery funding for the original Travis Wetland Park facilities development, and more recently secured central government funding for 10 "Jobs 4 Nature" positions that delivered outstanding biodiversity outcomes across regional parks around Christchurch region and across the Banks Peninsula.

Kay was highly respected as a leader - her style was to quietly steer rather than noisily drive.

She was a passionate horse rider, especially the long range endurance events, and was an all round outdoors women.

She was immensely proud of her ranger team and was renowned for working away in the background to make things happen, always giving the credit to others rather than seeking the limelight. She encouraged rangers to step out into the public as leaders and community facilitators. She supported multiple ranger staff over the years to attend IRF ranger congresses in Puerto Rico, USA and most recently Nepal.

Kay will be deeply missed by the Regional Parks Team, the Parks Unit, and the wider parks community, as well as everyone else who has worked with her over her years of dedication at the Council and the Dept. of Conservation.

Rodney Chambers.

Kay was one of the first people i ever met on my professional journey and she quickly became a person i trusted and respected. I will miss Kay, just knowing of her presence in such an important team, an important place and her guardianship of land we hold dear. Kia kaha, sending much aroha at this time.

I remember Kay trucking along at a great pace with her two horses- alone, way out over the flats opposite Stanleyvale - probably en route from Lake Guyon and as a novice trekker, thinking that she had real guts to be out there on her own- her happy place. A leader, an inspiration. Mary Holloway
Hanmer Springs

Kay...an amazing work colleague and friend. Kay always had time for us and was always approachable when we needed her advice and vice versa. We will dearly miss you. Jo and Rose