Tears and tributes for newsman Greg Boyed
The newsman’s colleagues speakout
Television stars and fans are grappling for answers after the tragic death of popular broadcaster Greg Boyed, a man renowned for bringing fun, light and kindness wherever he went. The 1NewsTonight anchor and familiar face on our nation’s television screens for more than two decades was holidaying in Switzerland with his international singer-songwriter wife Caroline Chevin, 44, and their three-yearold son Kian when he died suddenly last week. His heartbroken family released a statement on Wednesday saying the 48-yearold father-of-two – who has a 21-year-old daughter Pip from a previous relationship – had been battling depression. Word of his death left colleagues stunned and viewers shedding tears as moving tributes aired throughout the day paying respect to the esteemed journalist, whose career spanned 25 years in the TVNZ newsroom on shows such as Breakfast, 1News, Seven Sharp, Q+A and most recently the late news. Those who had worked alongside Greg were given the difficult task of delivering the sad news, donning black as they mourned the loss of one of the most talented newscasters in television. It took everything for presenters not to break down as the cameras rolled. With his voice trembling, 1NewsMidday 1 presenter Daniel
Faitaua delivered the first of many touching eulogies on air. “We want to acknowledge our friend d and colleague Greg Boyed. . Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and loved ones. Our newsroom won’t be the same.”
That evening on the 6pm bulletin, Greg’s workmate and co-presenter Simon Dallow, his voice cracking with emotion, said it was with heavy hearts his television news family mourned the sudden death of a muchloved colleague.
“We’ll remember Greg for so much – his warmth, his kindness, his wit, those quick one-liners, those brilliant ripostes, but also for his love of music. Thank you for being the most genuine, wittiest and most talented person all in one package I’ve had the privilege of knowing.”
He finished, his voice wavering, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.”
Fellow anchor Wendy Petrie posted a beautiful smiling selfie of the pair ready to go on air. “Every time I ever worked beside you, we laughed so much and when I signed up for the Auckland marathon, you offered to run beside me for the last difficult 21km. Today our hearts are broken. We miss you so much, Greg.”
SevenSharp’s Hilary Barry told viewers it had been a “terribly sad day” at TVNZ. She said, “He was not only a gifted broadcaster, but a much-loved dad, husband and son.”
Co-presenter Jeremy Wells added, “We know that many of you will have had days like
this too, losing someone dear to depression. And we share those feelings of sadness over Greg with you because you knew him too, welcoming him into your homes as a reporter and presenter across many shows here at TVNZ, including this one.”
Colleagues are united in their despair that such a wonderful person spent so much time in the dark yet lit up the world of those around him.
Heartbroken close friend and journalist Rachel Grunwell revealed her running buddy Greg had been struggling with lots of life issues that were frustrating him, with the past 12 months proving difficult. While she was aware he was slipping into a “dark abyss”, she was regularly checking in with him and had brunch with him the week before last.
“He reached out to me for help and now my heart is free-falling because I couldn’t catch him at that moment he fell the hardest,” she wrote.
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Comedian-turned-mental health advocate Mike King said even though Greg’s death is incredibly sad, it could be a turning point and certain to make a difference for others
suffering from depression.
“There’s one thing that’s come out of Greg’s tragedy – at least we are openly talking about depression,” he wrote on Facebook. “I know it wasn’t your intention, big guy, but I am positive it will save others.”
Just like Greg’s workmates, fans were left numbed by the shock death, with thousands sharing personal memories on social media about how much the adored broadcaster meant to them.
Viewer Michelle Robson noted Greg was someone who was always there in your life. “Seeing him was like listening to a wonderful friend, a brother, a guy next door that just happened to be telling you the latest news.”
Bexx Bently wrote on Facebook, “I will miss falling to sleep to the sound of Greg’s voice ... My heart goes out to his wife, children and family ... Rest in peace, Greg.”
Another viewer, Natasha Haddon, added, “You were always in my home for the briefest moment, but you always had the longest smile in my heart.”
Devastated workers at the Mental Health Foundation thanked Greg for his efforts to help end discrimination against mental illness, in particular his work fronting the Step Forward NZ campaign with Like Minds, Like Mine.
The CEO Shaun Robinson said, “Greg’s death really puts a very human face on what is a big issue that our whole community is addressing.”
After the tragic loss of such a beautiful man, Shaun hopes Greg’s untimely death will be a stark reminder for people to reach out to those you have concerns about and to encourage them to seek help.