The busy life of Upper Hutt’s ‘unofficial mayor’

Tpoliceman/sports masseur b July 7, 1941 d November 3, 2020

he idea of crawling hundreds of metres through a small, treacherous tunnel on a dark night with no idea what lies ahead would send a chill down anyone’s spine.

But for David Painter, a constable in his early 20s just starting out in his career, it was a job that needed to be done.

And those who knew ‘‘Paints’’, who has died aged 79, also knew he never held back from anything that needed doing.

His admirable bravery, which led to him saving the life of a young boy, and landing himself in hospital, set the scene for a life of giving back selflessly to anyone and everyone he could.

His heroism that Sunday night in June 1964, alongside his partner Constable Terrymortensen, saw the pair awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for gallantry in the Queen’s birthday honours the following year.

Two teenage boys and an ambulance officer were killed in the accident in an underground waterworks tunnel in Khandallah, when a coal gas pipe leaked carbon monoxide. But a third young man survived, thanks to the efforts of Painter and Mortensen.

Dubbed the ‘‘unofficial mayor’’ of Upper Hutt, Painter’s 70th birthday cake summed up his attitude towards life. Appropriately iced with Tui’s infamous slogan, it read: ‘‘Retirement, yeah right.’’

Slowing down after stepping away from 34 years as a police officer just wasn’t an option for Painter.

Instead, the passionate rugby nut embarked on a new career as a sports masseur, physiotherapist and manager.

But as the more than 700 people at his funeral last month heard, Painter wasn’t forthcoming about sharing his multiple life achievements.

His life was about giving credit to others, helping them in any way he could. Whether he was getting the call-up as a dog handler from the United States government or listening to a young boy over the road, who saw him as a best friend, as he read out loud, Painter always found away to give back.

Born in Auckland in 1941, Painter grew up in Napier, and lost his stepfather at age 12. He was left without a father figure, something he later went on to become to many others.

His gifted ability to communicate with people young and old made him the ideal candidate to be an outstanding police officer. After joining the police in 1963 as a member of Recruit Wing 24, Painter was posted to Wellington. Shortly after, he was faced with the Khandallah tunnel incident, risking his life to save the young boy.

His wife of 55 years, Meryl Painter, says he never liked to discuss the tragedy.

Later that decade Painter joined the police dog section, where he remained until his retirement in 1996, serving 27 years as a dog handler.

But soon into the role, Painter again faced tragedy. In November 1972, his dog Nero was hit by a vehicle driving without its lights on. Nerowas the first New Zealand police dog killed in the line of duty.

Later, as a sergeant, Painter became an instructor at the dog training centre, and then transferred to Upper Hutt, where he became a stalwart in the community.

In 1984, he was invited by the US government to travel to Antarctica, where he assisted and advised on the deployment of narcotic detector dogs. He became chief dog trainer in 1989, earning the label of ‘‘legend’’ of the dog section.

His skills and experience led to him working with authorities in Tonga, Australia, Singapore, Canada and Papua New Guinea.

He created policy and programmes for New Zealand agencies such as Customs, Corrections and the Royal New Zealand Air Force and established the police dog training centre at Trentham, Upper Hutt.

Described as ‘‘intensely loyal’’ to police and the dog section, Painter was known as being black and white. He either liked you or he didn’t, and if he didn’t, you knew where you stood.

In 1997, Painter was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the public.

While retirement could have been leisurely after his long career, he instead went on to gain qualifications in sports massage therapy, Bowen therapy and acupuncture and, aswith his policing career, became quickly well known for his skills.

Painter’s achievements in the last 20 years of his life saw him become a Wellington sporting identity.

Professional athletes, both domestically and internationally, were subjected to Painter’s often painful massage skills, including his trigger point release techniques.

His services were appreciated both at a domestic level by teams, including the All Blacks, Wellington Lions, Black Sticks, and the Hurricanes, and international sides, such as the Wallabies, Springboks and the Italian rugby team.

An Upper Hutt Rams Rugby Club life member, he had a new grandstand at Maidstone Park named after him and Rimutaka stalwart George Hinaki in 2017.

In between two busy careers, Painter made time for his large and ever-growing family, as a father to three daughters, a grandad to seven and great-grandad to three. He and Meryl had married at St Peter’s Church in Waipawa, in 1965.

While his face was well known in Upper Hutt, his other identity, as the community’s Father Christmas, was for the most part a well-kept secret. Bringing joy to children at the Upper Hutt Santa Parade and at kindergartens, he was not even recognised by some of his own grandchildren in his bearded disguise.

At his funeral, Painter was described as amentor, listener, supporter and good friend to many, who ‘‘absolutely stood up for what he believed in and encouraged others to do the same’’. – By Sophie Cornish