Among the many laudatory tributes heard at Alan Livington’s farewell on Monday, the poignant voices of his grandchildren spoke to what was most important.
Ngāti Korokī -Kahuhura Trust co-chair Rahui Papa leaves the stage watched by Alan Livingston’s family and former Prime Minister Helen Clark. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Alan Livingston’s casket is placed in front of Don Rowlands Centre overlooking Lake Karāpiro while the crowd of 600 watch on.
“He was the coolest person in my life,” said one, “he’d take me to the bakery after sport, even if I didn’t win.”
A small girl said her grandpa would play with her whenever she wanted, except when the rugby was on, and another directed a quiet voice to the casket, remembering his grandfather’s help with pet lambs. “I won four trophies because of it… it will be different now because you are not there to help.”
Each of those nine grandchildren spoke into the mic, some supported by a parent and brave enough just to say, ‘I love you’ as they said their goodbyes.
They, and Alan and Janet Livingston’s three children – Anna, Megan and Andrew – gave voice to the more private Alan Livingston, the man less familiar to most of the 600 plus people who gathered at Mighty River Domain’s Don Rowlands Centre on Monday morning. His casket was welcomed with a pōwhiri by Ngāti Korokī Kahakura and Ngāti Haua.
His funeral was attended by many regional and national individuals, including former PM Helen Clark, Taupō MP Louise Upston, mayors and former mayors including Mike Pettit, Jim Mylchreest, Paula Southgate, Tim Macindoe, Mahé Drysdale and Adrienne Wilcock, former and regional councillors including past chair Bob Simcock, and former speaker of the House, Margaret Wilson.
Alan David Livingston ONZM: January 20, 1952 – April 12, 2026
Tributes came from members of the family, the co-chair of the Ngāti Korokī Kahuhura Trust, Rahui Papa, Sport Waikato chief executive Matthew Cooper, Brian Perry Charitable Trust chair Simon Perry, former Waipā chief executive Garry Dyet, Louise Upston, and regional councillor Liz Stolwyk. Messages were read out from some who couldn’t attend, including Olympian Rob Waddell and Hamilton West MP Tama Potaka.
Members of the Te Awamutu and Cambridge volunteer fire brigades watch on as Alan Livingston’s casket is carried around Don Rowlands Centre to its place outside the service. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Members of the Te Awamutu and Cambridge volunteer fire brigades watch on as Alan Livingston’s casket is carried around Don Rowlands Centre to its place outside the service. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Alan died unexpectedly at his much-loved Te Pahū home on April 12. It was there he had spent most of his life after his parents moved from Gisborne, where he was born, to the Waikato when he was just one. After attending Te Pahū School, Alan went to Waitaki Boys’ High in Oamaru where he continued to excel and where he captained both the 1st VX rugby and the 1st XI cricket teams. From there it was on to do an agri/comm degree from Lincoln University, growing his passion for sport at the same time. His ingenuity showed early when as students, he and his flatmates raised a pig to pay for a semester’s groceries.
While in Christchurch, Alan met nursing student Janet. They married a few years later, and last year celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Photo tributes at the entrance to the Alan Livingston Memorial Service. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Three names are on the plaque at the entrance to Don Rowlands Centre – the governor general, the Māori king and Alan Livingston. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
His children commented on the example gifted by their parents, the ‘rhythm’ of everyday life, Alan’s love of the land, his calm demeanour and resolute practicality, their constant support at their sports games and other events. They learned that a firm handshake with eyes locked was important, that community mattered as much as firm principles, that dinners could be left to get cold while he attended to someone’s needs on the phone.
Family was everything to Alan, and both he and Janet worked tirelessly to fit community into their life.
His achievements are widely documented, and from the time he first entered local government his wise counsel and grit was recognised. Many of Waipa’s landmark projects – the Waikato Expressway, the velodrome, Mighty River Domain and the Don Rowlands Centre – are said to have got across the line only through Alan’s tenaciousness.
There were many stories about Alan Livingston. One about his firm handshake drew a smile from Janet Livingston, centre with glasses, and the rest of his family. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Ngāti Korokī -Kahuhura Trust co-chair Rahui Papa reveals there will be a kiwi called “Big Al” at Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Rahui Papa, who described Alan as “a bloody good guy’, said he was masterful in bringing people together. He said the next Kiwi chick set for release from Maungatautari to Wellington’s Zealandia, set for later this month, would be named Big Al in honour of Alan’s love for the environment.
Simon Perry said Alan had brought the region much success via his projects, including the 65km cycle trail he himself enjoyed. He had seen two of three big projects come to fruition – Mighty River Domain and the velodrome; he missed out on the third, the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, due for completion next year.
“Alan’s story is not written in words… it is built into the places he leaves behind. Waipā Home of Champions was inspired by Alan’s vision,” he said.
“For many of us, Waipā’s greatest champion of all was Alan.”
See: Alan Livingston: A life of service
The Cambridge and Te Awamutu volunteer fire brigades and mourners provided a guard of honour as the hearse with Alan Livingston’s casket leaves Don Rowlands Centre and Lake Karāpiro. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Cambridge and Te Awamutu volunteer fire brigades and mourners provided a guard of honour as the hearse with Alan Livingston’s casket leaves Don Rowlands Centre and Lake Karāpiro. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
