Passed away peacefully at Te Nikau Grey Hospital, Greymouth, surrounded by his loving family, on May 15, 2025, in his 82nd year. Beloved husband of Lorraine his No. 1, cherished father and father-in-law of Andrew and Monique, and Judith, loved Pop of Ashleigh, Reece, and Lachlan and Valerie, very special Poppa of Roman, and London, son of the late Jack and Nancy Havill, brother of Nancy Prangnell, Gail Bradley, Geoff Havill, the late Janette Havill, and Jennifer Havill, loved brother-in-law, uncle of all is his nieces and nephews and a great friend of many. Messages to 74 Havill Drive, Awatuna, 7882 or can be left on Durham’s tribute page at www.thompsonfd.co.nz. Flowers respectfully declined but donations to the Canterbury West Coast Cancer Society would be appreciated and can be made online at https://www.cancer.org.nz/about-us/find-a-cancer-society-office-near-you/greymouth/ or at the service.
A very special thank you to Dr Herm Hurley and Dr Jordan Searle and all the nursing staff that looked after Durham.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Durham’s life will be held in All Saint’s Church, Bealey Street, Hokitika, on Wednesday, May 21, at 1pm, followed by cremation here on the Coast at Westland Crematorium.
Durham Maxwell John Havill
May 15, 2025
R.I.P Durham, my sincere condolences to the family. Colleen née Blair
Thinking of you at this sad time Lor and family.
Condolences to aunty Lor,and family.thinking of you at this time,a big change in your lives a life well lived,and I’m proud of the achievements he made,and what he achieved for the west coast in general.A hard worker now at rest.Love to all ,Tammy and Aaron xxx
Our thoughts & sympathy are with you all, sorry we can’t be with you on Wednesday, Trev has great memories of Durham ,when he spent many years on the council with him.
Regards Trev & Davina Mitchell
Thinking of you Lorraine & Family at this sad time.
My deepest sympathy to you Lor and all your family. He was your no1 and you will miss him. RIP Durham xx
Sorry to hear of Durham’s passing. Our thoughts with you all.Dianne and Martin
So sorry to hear about the passing of this great man and loyal coaster another of the greyhound gang has left the bar
Our deepest sympathy is extended to you all. Rest in Peace Durham.
So sorry to hear of Durham’s passing, he was a truly great man, nothing to much a bother, a real man of the people. Rest in peace Durham you will be missed
So sorry to hear of this. Thinking of the family at this time
So sorry to hear of Durhams passing. Thoughts are with all the family at this time.
So sorry to read of Durham’s passing. Condolences to Lorraine and all the family.
Rest.in. Peace Durham
Our condolences to the Havill family, A giant kauri has fallen. RIP Durham.
So sad at the news of Durham’s passing. Badly missed at the Old Farts table Friday nights at Stumpers. The shit we talk will never be the same. Love from Ian and Jessica McMillan.
So sorry to hear of Durhams passing. Thoughts are with all the family at this time.
To Lor, Andy, Mon & Jude, we are so sorry to hear that Durham has passed. You were a great fun guy Durham, always smiling and a lovely man, doing what he could for anyone, everyone and our community. Thanks for marrying us and everything else you did for us, over the years, you will be missed by many xx
Such a sad time for you all
Our Deepest sympathy is with you Take carexx
Loraine and family, please accept my sincere condolences on your loss of a great guy. In the twenty years I spent on the coast and all my dealings with you and Durham, I can not speak more highly . So many fun times
Loraine and family, Enjoyed my time dealing with Durham in business. Straight shooting to the point and fair at all times .
Thanks so much Durham and for West Coast updates .
One of the true gentleman, so sad to hear of your loss. Deepest sympathy to Lorraine and family.
Such a great Coaster. Sorry to hear of your loss. Condolences to Lor, Andrew and Monique and the rest of the family. 🕊️
My sincere condolences to Lorraine and all the family.
Durham was a great man both to his family, friends and our community.
Sadly, a mighty tree has fallen.
Rest in Peace, Durham.
Our deepest sympathy to the Havill family. RIP Durham.
To Lorraine and your family. So sad to hear of Durhams passing. A true West Coaster and such a gentleman. Never too busy to listen. Fond memories of playing golf and great discussions around the table at the Southland during our stay in Hokitika. Memories are so special.
Very sad news. Our deepest sympathy to you Lor & your family. thinking of you all at this sad time Jill & Stuart Mitchell
So sad to hear of Durham passing. Condolences to the family. RIP Durham
Our deepest sympathy to you Lor and all your family. A true West Coaster now at rest.
Condolences to Durhams family and friends. Thoughts are with you all. RIP Durham.
Sad to hear of Durhams passing. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
Thinking of Lorraine and family at such a sad time. Durham was such a Hokitika identity and has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the district .fond memories of lovely guy . He will be missed by many . Deepest sympathy . Bidge and Colin jefferies.
Sorry to hear of Durham’s passing. My sincere condolences and thoughts to Durham’s family and friends. He was a good man and will be missed.
Sorry to hear of Durham’s
passing our deepest sympathy
So sad to hear of Durham’s passing. Deepest sympathy to family and friends. A wonderful man gone
Our thoughts and sincere condolences to all the family , sorry we can’t be with you on Wednesday
Sorry to hear of Durham’s passing. My sincere condolences and thoughts to Durham’s family and friends. He was a great man and will be missed.
Deepest condolences to Lorraine, Andrew Monique, Judith and families. A true West Coast Gentleman who always loved the chats. Remembered the days when he was our mayor Fly high Durham 💐
To Lor, Andy, Mon & Jude, we are so sorry to hear that Durham has passed. You were a great fun guy Durham, always smiling and a lovely man, doing what he could for anyone, everyone and our community. Thanks for marrying us and everything else you did for us, over the years, you will be missed by many xx
Havill family, So sorry to hear that Durham had passed away ,a good bloke to have a yarn with.He did a lot of good for Hokitika and surrounding districts RIP,
To Lor Andrew Mon and family it is a sad with Durhams passing it has been a pleasure to have known and worked for Durham and family anyone who has known Durham is the better for it as he was a true coaster with the coast and its people In his heart RIP Durham you’re going to be missed
So sorry to hear of Durham’s passing, he truly was a great man, he had vision and foresight. We will miss his leadership. Rest in peace Durham you will be greatly missed.
So sorry to learn of Durham’s passing.
Sincere condolences to Lorraine, Andrew & Monique and the Havill family.
A huge loss to the West Coast community.
RIP Durham.🌹🌹
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of Durham A great Coaster He always had time for a chat Thinking of you Lor
TO Lorraine, and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of a great husband and father. A true west coaster, best mayor Hokitika ever had. great neighbour when dad had farm in Arahura Valley. Great boss as i drove trucks part time for Durham. RIP DMG
Lorraine, Andrew, Judith and family our sincere condolences. So sorry to miss you when we were over but did get to speak with Durham. Thinking of you. Dean, Heather, Alicia and Lauren.
So sad to hear of Durhams passing, condolences to Lorraine and family.
To Lorraine and family
Sorry to hear of Durham’s passing. Deepest sympathies to you all.
The Baty family are very sorry to hear of the Passing of Durham. A lot of Rugby Memories. Durham and Ray locked the scrum in the Kiwi Rugby days. Many Moons ago.
To Lor and Family, sorry to hear of Durham’s passing. Thinking of you at this time. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Dennis and Dulcie Bell
To Lor, Judith, Andrew and Mon, Ashleigh and Reece, Lachie and Valerie, Roman and London,
I’m very sorry to hear of the passing of your very special man.
The love and support that I received from you all during my time of need will forever remain in my heart. A blessing that gave me strength that I can never thank you enough for. What wonderful memories we share.
Vale Durham. My condolences to all of his family and friends.
Carolyn Smolenski. X
Sincere condolences to Lorraine and all the family. Sorry to hear of Durham’s passing.
Sorry to here about durhams passing SIncere condolence,s to the family he was agood mam
Very sad to hear of Durham’s passing, Condolences to your and your family Lorraine.
Kind regards Margaret Reece
Our sincere condolences to the Havill family at the passing of Durham. We have all lost a true westcoaster.
Thinking of you all
Lyn and Ken Reece
Dear Lor,Andrew,Monique and family.
So sorry to hear of Durham’s passing.
A very influential and true man to Westland communities.
Our thoughts are with you as you processing your huge loss.
Rest in peace . To the family my thoughts go out to you all. Andrew ,Judith your dad was one of a kind always working
Auntie Lor Andrew , Monic ,Judith and family , Condolences to you all .Sending love and thoughts to you all.Tracy Black and girls
Our deepest sympathy to Lor & your family at this sad time of Durham’s passing
Our sympathy to Family and staff What a loss.sorry unable to be with you on wednesday
Our most sincere condolences to all of Durhams family on their loss of a wonderful man and great West Coaster. Most importantly a loving husband, father, father-in-law, Grandfather and friend. May he rest in peace.
To Dear Andrew & family, our deepest sympathy to you all with the loss of Durham.
He was one of life’s real gentlemen & was always interested on how business was on both sides of the hill.
If Durham was in the office would always find time to catch up with you as does Andrew.
It was a pleasure to of known Durham. & I appreciated his time.
Rest in Peace now Durham.
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the passing of Durham very fond memories of a great man.Sorry cant be there for the final farewell currently in Oz.
Gloria and Goog McGill
To Andrew and family
Please accept our sympathies and condolences.
Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to meet Durham in person however, I didn’t have to go far to see that his reputation proceeds him. Not only has he left a legacy with Aratuna Freighters but his leadership and commitment to the wider community was also ably demonstrated during his tenure as Westland Mayor.
I appreciate there are good things happening in the transport industry now however, I also genuinely believe our industry is worse off as we lose people like Durham, real characters and pioneers.
Take care.
Dom Kalasih, Transporting New Zealand
Condolences to the Havill Family on the sad loss of a True West Coaster, Durham was respected by all that had contact with him. He will be sadly missed in the Hokitika and West Coast Community. Regards Les and Ngaire Ellis. Winton.
Durham was a such a mighty man, a giver and passionate Coaster. He was always available, always thinking about how to help and make things happen, and I could sense his strength and support at all times.
I will miss him dearly. His regular phone calls with thoughts on how to do things better, opportunities that should be pursued, and how we shape up the future were always welcomed and a boost in the arm.
To Andrew and family, my condolences, and those of the team at WMS, are with you all during this sad time. We will celebrate Durham’s life and enormous contribution to the Coast together.
Best wishes,
Ray
Thinking of you Lor and families, Durham was a gentleman.
Regards
June & Mark
Lor and family sorry to hear of Durham’s passing.
When we first moved to Havill Drive he turned up at our place with a big basket of veggies from his wonderful glass house & said there ya go Hutch tell Craig that’s how ya grow veggies!
Durham was a man with a big heart & a passion for Westland & its people and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Durham may you now rest in eternal peace.
Lorraine and Family. A tireless worker and a pleasure to be associated with. Please accept my condolences.
I regret that I will not be able to attend Durham’s final farewell but I will always remember him for his dedication and contribution to the benefit of the Westland District.
Lorraine and Family. A tireless worker and a pleasure to be associated with. Please accept my condolences.
I regret that I will not be able to attend Durham’s final farewell but I will always remember him for contribution to the benefit of the Westland District.
RIP my dear friend, hope you’re flying the Aratuna flag wherever you are. My condolences to you Lorraine, Andrew and family
Our sincerest condolaence to Lorraine the wider Havill family.
We will miss Durham’s daily “Paper Runs” and the regular catch ups, history lessons and insights into Westland and wider West Coast issues, current and past.
You were a great West Coast advocate and tireless local champion – your legacy will live on for many years to come – RIP Durham.
My heart felt thoughts with Durhams family at this sad time , touched many lives and added so much to the richness of the Westcoast, rest in peace mate.
Lorraine and family, our thoughts are with ….so sorry to hear this sad news
Lorraine and family, our thoughts are with ….so sorry to hear this sad news
Lorraine and family, our thoughts are with ….so sorry to hear this sad news
Sending our sincere condolences with the sad loss of your Durham Loraine, also all those who loved him.
He showed so much kindness in helping our family starting a new business in Greymouth, which will never be forgotten .
He will leave a big hole in your broken hearts 💔
Hi Lorraine
Justine and I have just learnt of Durham’s passing and we wish to pass on our thoughts and love to you. I was the builder who was involved in building your home over looking the beautiful sea at 74 Havill Drive. The only driveway that run for some distance off Stafford Rd where you could truly speed and not get another speeding ticket Lor.
Durham a gentleman at heart, believed in your word is your bond, welcoming and you guys made a great team. I am privileged to have been involved with Durham and you Lor. I always enjoyed our many meetings and the sense of humour you both have/had.
Regards James & Justine Lill