Community stalwart dies

Merv Aoake
Merv Aoake
Queenstown's community is the poorer for the loss of long-time social worker, rugby stalwart and former district councillor Merv Aoake, a friend says.

A community support worker for Jigsaw Central Lakes for the past 11 years, Mr Aoake died on Sunday after a brief illness.

Broadcaster Craig Ferguson said his friend of nearly 30 years had a "huge heart".

"That’s reflected in the huge volume of work he’s done for our community over a long period of time.

"It’s work a lot of people didn’t hear about — dealing with at-risk people and families, the needy, the homeless, those looking for a good feed.

"Very few of us go there, but he was there as an integral and important part of that network."

Mr Aoake’s community involvement was wide-ranging: a more than 30-year association with the Wakatipu Rugby Club, a stint teaching at Wakatipu High School, a term as district councillor until 2016, and his membership of the Remarkables Men’s Ballet troupe, a staple of the resort’s annual Christmas Show for many years.

Mr Ferguson said whenever he met his mate for one of their regular cafe meetings, "you’d walk around town and everyone would know him".

"He had time for everybody."

Originally from the small settlement of Okauia, near Matamata in the Waikato region, Mr Aoake and his wife, Maree, moved to the resort in 1991.

Besides raising their children, Ana and James, he became heavily involved in coaching and administration at the Wakatipu Rugby Club after an impressive playing career.

Mr Aoake would have turned 63 yesterday.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow at Moonlight Stables at 1pm.

His body will then be taken to Te Ohaki marae, near Matamata, where his tangi will take place on Sunday at 1pm.

guy.williams@odt.co.nz

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement