Summarised by Centrist
Bob McNeil, a celebrated New Zealand journalist and broadcaster, has passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Known for his sharp reporting and warm personality, McNeil was a prominent figure on TV3, where he worked for over two decades before retiring in 2010. Tributes have poured in, with colleagues describing him as “a damn fine journo and a gentleman.”
Born in Wellington in 1942, McNeil began his journalism career at the Taranaki Daily News. He later worked as a teacher in London before returning to New Zealand to pursue a career in radio and television. Starting with TV3 before its 1989 launch, McNeil covered a wide range of stories, from natural disasters in the Pacific to interviews with global icons like Sir Edmund Hillary. His 2014 memoir, News Travels, recounts these adventures, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into the life of a journalist constantly on the move.
McNeil is survived by his wife Jeanette and their three children, including daughter Sacha McNeil, a respected journalist and news presenter. Colleagues such as Donna-Marie Lever called him “a class act,” while Karen Rutherford described him as “one of the kindest, most genuine journos.”
His legacy as a journalist who valued truth and connection remains a significant part of New Zealand’s media history.
