Lawyer and patron of Wellington arts scene

Rising from humble beginnings to become one of Wellington’s sharpest legal minds and a respected patron of the arts, Neil Gray leaves a legacy that will long be remembered.

Although his legal career lasted 60 years, law was only one of his many achievements. His wife, Tiahuia, who died in 2019, was a highly respected figure in Ma¯oridom and their children have had distinguished careers.

Neil Edward Gray was born in Nelson Hospital. His parents, George and Hilda, were from the United Kingdom, and struggled during the Great Depression.

At Nelson College, he excelled academically and, in 1951, was the proxime accessit, excelling in Latin. In his last year at college, he applied for admission to study law in Wellington, at what was then Victoria University College.

After a period travelling overseas, he joined Chapman Tripp. Clients included AMP, James Smith and Griffin’s. In 1962, he became a partner.

Although he was committed to his legal career, he always took an intense interest in the arts and was pivotal in Chapman Tripp becoming involved in theatre in Wellington. Working with Judge Carolyn Henwood and her actor husband, Ray, he established the Theatre Artists Charitable Trust to support actors at Circa Theatre.

He was the inaugural chairman of the Theatre Awards Trust, which honoured the best stage talent in Wellingtonwith financial support from Chapman Tripp. He was amember of DANZ Aotearoa and legal adviser to Toi Whakaari, Circa and Bats Theatre.

In 2015, he was honoured at the Wellington Theatre Awards in recognition of his long contribution to the arts.

In all he did, Neil was supported by the love of his life, Tiahuia. Painfully shy as a young man, their first encounter was on July 4, 1964, in an Island Bay flat. While celebrating bachelorhoodwith some mates, there was a knock on the door.

He opened the door on a stormy Wellington evening to find his future wife, who was training as a nurse at Hutt Hospital, dripping wet and needing a towel to dry her long hair.

The following week they became a couple and were engaged in May 1965. Tiahuia was just 19. She went on to become an influential figure in Ma¯oridom, a taurima (leader) at Te Herenga Waka Marae at Victoria University of Wellington, and an adviser to Wellington City Council.

She instilled a deep respect for tikanga Ma¯ori in their children and in Neil, helping him to feel comfortable speaking at marae.

Neil was proud of the achievements of their five children, Ta¯nemahuta, Nathan, Merenia, Moana, and Fraser.

Chapman Tripp managing partner Andy Nicholls said Gray would not be forgotten. ‘‘With his gruff eyebrows, sharp mind and big heart, for 60 years Neil instilled the virtues of discipline, excellence and humanity in this place.

‘‘So while the to¯tara may have fallen, there will be places where Neil’s influence will live on in a very present and vital way, and Chapman Tripp is one of those places.’’ –

Sources: Gray family, Law Society and Stuff archives.