John Hawkins 1952-2011
It is with sadness that we report the passing of NZ Racer Magazine founder and Editor John Hawkins aged 59, after an illness. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family late last week.
John is well known and respected throughout not only New Zealand but the global motorsport community for his journalistic ability and The NZ Racer Magazine which he started.
His passion for the sport and his unique ability to communicate brought him enormous respect for those that worked with him or read his work.
After learning and applying his trade with local print news media in Christchurch, John ventured out on his own and started Canterbury Racer, a free give away newspaper for motorsport fans within the region. This went national and evolved into the NZ Racer Magazine which is now a well established motorsport media brand.
Two things stood out about this man. First, conversation with John was often one way, but he didn’t do the talking. Somehow he had the rare ability to listen by asking the right questions and elicit answers and comment.
Second, he was a man of his word, a man of honour and integrity and hence had a quiet respect throughout the motor racing community. He calmly went about his trade and held an enormous network of contacts and friends throughout all aspects of New Zealand motorsport at home and throughout the world.
He will be missed by not only family and friends but many in the motorsport fraternity.
John is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Vienna and Tammy, and step children Sonia and Adrian.
His funeral service will be held at the Westpark Chapel, 467 Wairakei Rd, Burnside, Christchurch on Friday 28th October at 2:30pm.
Messages to the Hawkins family may be sent C/- PO Box 21-085, Edgeware Christchurch NZ. Emails to benjamin@sundaybusiness.co.nz will be passed onto the family as well.
