Michael SMITH Obituary

I was a work colleague and friend of Mike's for around 45 years. He had a great influence on his work colleagues, mentoring many and leading by example. He taught me to write news copy by gently scouring my early, clumsy efforts with a thick, black pen until, gradually, I learnt what worked, what didn't and why.
His health collapsed in the early eighties but despite his struggles, he never showed the slightest retreat into self-pity. He had every right to but his wicked sense of humour made light of what to many, would have been crushing setbacks.
I'm sure in his quiet moments he must have wondered what the hell else could go wrong but there was never a public hint of that.
He and Bev were a team to be envied.
Mike's best legacy is the loyalty and friendship he inspired in friends and workmates.

Bev it was massive honour to work with Mike over the last four years. He was truly an inspirational man whom we both know could be a pain in the bum at times especially when you both told me some of those "magical tricks" he use to perform eg: flooding the kitchen floor or trying to knock over 'she who shall not be named' into the toilet. Trying to get Mike on the straight narrow was certainly a difficult task
However Mike was just Mike and we just had to roll with what he threw at us. As a team we worked well together to insure Mike's years were filled with good and hilarious moments.
I just want to thank you Bev for sharing Mike with us, you both taught me alot about yourselves- your personal history, information and knowledge about Mike's condition and experiences with all facets of his health.
I also want to acknowledge also that I am truly grateful that you both supported me when I lost my mum last year. You were both there to listen to my funny and not so funny moments with my mum and family. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart.
Finally Mike aka "Sweet Pea" miss you on my work run, miss your insane sense of humor, your 'magical tricks' & telling you off, your awesome cooking skillz, work stories. But most of all I miss your presence
Rest Easy Mike aka "Sweet P". #1stclassass❤
Always & Forever your Mate Mana

R.i.p Mike

To know him was to love him.

Mike you will be someone who lives forever in my mind. A beautiful man and true gentleman. I feel so privileged to have met you and Bev. RIP now darling Mike Xxx

Mike was such an incredible guy, I loved his wit and hearing his stories about his overseas adventures. I will miss not seeing Mike when I visit Dunedin but will never lose touch with you Bev.
Our hearts go out to you Bev. With love and sympathy, Robyn and Barry Brown

Mike was a pleasure to look after never a dull moment never complain we had so many laughs he was a very great man I will miss him so much as I was his caregiver over 4 /years may you Rest In Peace Mike Sharon

Mike you were unique in everyway. Fantastic sense of humour, fabulous story writer and teller, world traveled, life experienced gentle man. Was a pleasure to have meet you. May you rest in peace. Sadly missed.

I only met Mike on a handful of occasions and wish it could have been more. He impressed with his lively wit, and his interest in and concern for everyone. A true gentleman, through and through.
His stories will give his grandchildren much to be proud of and qualities to aspire to as they make their way through life. Much love Pat Carswell

What a lifelong exciting personality he was.
Mike went to school in Masterton and then onto St. Bede's College in Christchurch and it was as if the gates were flung open to a life of non-stop excitement.
He started his career in Journalism at the Wairarapa Times Age in Masterton but that was never going to 'cut it' with Mike and he soon moved to the Dominion newspaper in Wellington. Even Wellington proved too small for this larger than life character and he shot off to Southern Rhodesia to work for the Rhodesia Herald.

Next we knew Mike had joined 'Mad Mike Hoare' and his cohorts in the Congo which must have been an exciting time.

In 1965 he ended up back in New Zealand where he met Bev and from there he was off to Vietnam as a War Correspondent.
In 1968 following the Tet offensive the family (including Lucienne who was born in Saigon in 1966) moved to Singapore and he managed a dredging operation in Sumatra for a couple of years. Following that he became Operations Manager for a British firm who were running a fleet of tugs and barges in Bangladesh, under contract to the United Nations.
The family returned to New Zealand late in 1972 and Christopher was born in January 1973. They eventually moved to Dunedin where he worked for Radio 4X0 and then TVNZ and he was transferred to Wellington in 1980. In 1985 he was appointed South Island News Editor for TVNZ in Christchurch.
Whilst in Dunedin in 1975 he was hit by the boom of a fishing boat off the Otago coast and for the next 5 years had severe headaches. In 1980, soon after TVNZ transferred him from Dunedin to Wellington he had a massive seizure which shattered both shoulders and damaged 3 vertebrae. A giant brain aneurysm was diagnosed and he had brain surgery in Wellington Hospital in November 1980. Because of the damage to his shoulders he had artificial shoulder joints inserted in Auckland Hospital. He had many epileptic seizures following the brain surgery but still managed to work until 1996 when he took early retirement because of his health issues. Later that year he was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease) which placed limits on his activities. He had a very difficult time with his health and was fortunate to have a dedicated wife in Bev supporting him.

Despite his health, he still had an extraordinary sense of humour, though sometimes a little dark. He loved dogs and had a number of bullterriers over the years which scared the wits out of most of us.
I recall him asking one of his reporters about a family that had been lost. His first question what happened to the dog?
He was very devoted to his family and very proud of them.

Mike was a special man great sense of humour and love to have a chat .
He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Glad to have known him over the last 6 years.
RIP Mike xx

It has been an absolute pleasure to know Mike. Such a character with so much wit. He will indeed be missed. Much love x

Dear Bev
Thank you for sharing your memories and Mike. I will always treasure my memories of our first meeting. Mike was so protective of you. I know you shall miss him dearly, but so lovely to have such wonderful memories. All my love and keep in touch always xxx

Selamat belayer Kawan Mike. Daripada kawan-nya.
Nakhoda Dave

Mike was a kind, caring, loyal friend with a great wit. He was a very special man whom my late husband, Jack, and I admired and respected Marie Filby

I had been honoured to know you and became a very close friend as my own family since we met some 40 yrs ago. The memory lingers on and on. Rest in peace Mike.

It was with great sadness that I heard the news about Mike. The association of our two families goes back a very long way, to Masterton in the 1960s. Mike was my boss, twice, at 4XO in Dunedin and then TVNZ in Christchurch. He was very supportive of me once in a difficult time, and I was always admiring of his intrepid adventures in Vietnam and the Congo. Mike was an embedded war correspondent long before the 'embedded' word became fashionable; he was brave as well as talented, and those of us he told his stories to will never forget them. There are people who live on in the minds and memories of others to a greater extent than they know, and Mike was one. His stoicism in the face of later ill health was also noteworthy. I have always saluted his achievements and now I will cherish his memory. My deep condolences to Bev and family.