Christopher Blinkhorne

Blinkhorne, Christopher Robert

Tragically passed away on November 14^th, age 40.Beloved son of Selwyn (deceased) and Jacqui. Adored brother of Ben and Tim. Loved brother-in-law of Leanne and Laura. Cherished uncle of Oscar, Isla, Weiland and Beatrix. Deeply loved by his partner Olive.
A loyal friend to so many, Chris’s kindness, humour, and big heart touched all who knew him. A service to celebrate Chris’s life will be held at Public Trust Hall on Wednesday, November 19 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand would be appreciated.

Gone far too soon. Forever loved and forever remembered

Tributes

Brad Linstrom

To the Blinkhorne family.
Well coll boys knew blinks as the effortlessly ‘cool’ guy. But, a rarity, he wore that ‘coolness’ with humility, and kindess as a teenager. I’d kept connected with Blinks through friends during the uni years, and then really understood him as an adult through his time in Auckland, living at the infamous purple palace. Id shared many times on the deck, yarning about snowboarding, skating, and cracking jokes. He was a complex man, Hilarious and silly, and i knew and saw he struggled with his place in the world through this period of his life. When I last saw him in person, at the sorrowful funeral of another mutual friend – Craig – and while sad for the loss of our friend – he was happy, future focused and seemed in a great place with his life and direction, loves and family. He was asking about my kids, and my life and such, after not seeing each other through covid dark times – He was and remained the kind, and caring guy.
My great regret is not doing more, saying more, and I am sorry for this, Chris.

I will miss him and remember him as the real, and incredibly talented person he was.

My thoughts To His mum, and brothers – Aroha nui.
Nā koutou i tangi, nā tātou katoa

Mark Thornton Thornton

Blinks
My heart hurts to know I will never have those big hugs and big kisses on the cheek when we greet each other. The enthusiasm of your love of your friends and family is unmatched and that massive smile when we you see us for the first time fills us with joy. You are an absolute legend and will never be forgotten
I love you brother and I will miss you dearly
Funda x

Lynda Vorchheimer

Dearest Jacqui, family and friends. My heart reaches out to you all at this very sad time. My memories of Chris are of him sitting in the kitchen in Wadestown. He grew into a talented sportsman. I see from tributes a man with a loving and warm nature.

Sarah,Dave,Debi Williams

Our deep love and sympathy to Jacquie ,Ben Tim,Olive ,Laura,and Leanne and all the young ones who adore their Epic fun creative uncle.

He was our sweet smiling dangermouse cousin dragged around on my 9 year old hip trying to tween mother him ,when all he wanted was to do was RUN.
Squiggling with anticipation withTim at the end of the bed as they released pet ratty under the bed sheets while I slept in too long past 5.30 am.
Endless hours of bombing in the pool and screaming down the driveway on skateboards and bikes speed wobbling flying off the edge of the driveway .
His creativity and fearlessness clearly inspired many to push the boundaries of possibility in many areas of life.
Those early young years were many but as grown ups far away we are passing ships as an adventurer away surfing,snowboarding,diving,travelling with your awesome friends and your love Olive and your adored spoodle noodle fur friend.
In light and love you will be so dearly missed and I wish I could see you again.
your fellow piscean Sarahxo

Kate, Rachel, Sarah Blinkhorne

Our memories of our cousin Chris were always that of a funny kid with an adventurous streak.
We all grew and sought out our own adventures in life, leaving our carefree childhoods behind. We never got to properly know the man you became as we settled across the Tasman. Dealing with our own challenges and losses these last few years, we didn’t realise your struggles too.
Our hearts go out to Jacqui, Ben, Tim, your nearest and dearest loved ones, and the rest of our family.
You’ll forever be our cheeky cousin with an eternally mischievous glint in his eyes.
Rest easy now Chris.
Love, the Blinkhorne girls

Alex, Elisa, Andy and Sophia Worker

Blinky, love you buddy. Appreciate all the friendship over the years, still in awe of your natural talent and no-limits approach to life. You lived your 40 years with such energy. Just watched you bombing Wadestown hill for the 100th time – never gets old. Great to see your snowboard photos doing the rounds, you were a natural artist. You’ve done so much, and been such a good friend to so many. Thinking of Jacqui, Olive, brothers Tim and Ben, best friend Dave, wider families, Wadestown crew, and all your good friends together in Wellington over coming days. Rest easy and finally in peace, old friend. See you in the other side for another good laugh. Love, Alex, Elisa, Andy and Sophia Worker

Mary Winikerei

To Olive and the Blinkhorne family.
We were very sad to hear of Chris’s passing. Without fail “Blinky” would always make the effort to call in and visit us ( the parents of his friends) when holidaying in Wanaka. We appreciated him keeping in touch and enjoyed his humour and take on life. RIP. Robin and Mary Winikerei

Nats Eastgate (nee. Pauleit)

Blinks 🤍
No one wrapped you up quite like you did. Your hugs and your smile were infectious — the one of a kind I’ll treasure forever.

You lit up every room you walked into. That kind of energy doesn’t just disappear; it stays with the people you loved, the memories you left us, and all the stories of growing up together in Welly that we’ll hold onto for the rest of our lives.

Growing up with you is a gift I’ll always be grateful for — so many laughs, so much heart.

Huge huge love to your family
Blinks, we’ll miss you… but we’ll love you forever. xxxx

Jeff or as Chris put it Speffreyyyy Brown

Me old mate blinks
As I was illegal fishing off the coast of Brazil I was delivered the news of your passing. Devastated in that moment of the news is an understatement.
I still remember the day I was blessed by that infectious smile for the first time at college.
Threw our years together weather it was skating together (when you finally got off the roller blades) school parties or just causing a bit of cheeky trouble I always loved hanging with that crazy full of laughs personality.
We all left college and went our seperate ways but once reunited again was like time hadn’t passed.
Some of my favourite times with you were living in Perth when we were living a free willed life. The late night dnms the back flips into the pools were bliss.
I remember when you spiked George’s and roaches dinner with the world’s hottest chilli followed by that cheeky smile and laughter. Always a joker at heart and one of the biggest hearts I’ve met. That big Blinky hug I received after not seeing you for ages I will miss and life within our tight crew will never be the same and a hole that can’t be filled.
Kaori light house is a special part of my family. We have countless memory’s of fishing there and is where my dad will be laid to rest. I will also now wave every time I’m there to remind me of that refreshingly ginger deal devil that once jumped off it.
To Jackie and family my heart burns for you all but have peace that Chris lived life to the extreme and did things that not many would.
Sending all my love from Brazil will have him in my thoughts as I compete in the world champs in the coming weeks
Much love speff

Tom Taylor

Blinky, you truly were one of a kind… so full of energy, love, and adventure with a unique ability to connect with absolutely everybody. The first time I met you, you were holding court, single-handedly entertaining a house full of people at a party in Wanaka. The Blinkhorne show. Since that day I have always felt privileged to be a part of it. You had the sort of energy and confidence that everyone was drawn to, and an ability to make everyone feel part of the laugh. You always showed me such incredible kindness, thank you. You showed such kindness and love to everyone.

I have so many fond memories of the time I spent in your company, always with a lot of laughter, usually on a beach or near a mountain. Never boring. I feel especially lucky to have had the time together in Wanaka in our early twenties, which put us on a journey of friendship for decades to come.

It puts a smile on my face to think of all the collective stories, from all the incredible people you surrounded yourself with, and how they will all be told today, at what I can only imagine will be one hell of a send off.

You truly made the most of your time on this earth Blinky. Rest in peace friend. Lots of love.

Blain Collinge

Much love Chris, hadn’t spoken to you in a long time, but when i saw you a several years ago in the city, you gave me nothing but love at a time i needed it, i’ll remember that moment and your smile for the rest of my life and use it as power to stay fighting the good fight.
Rest in love brother.
Mauri aroha.

Mark Tinkle

Blinky. I was devastated to hear the news. You were always so friendly to me. The life of the party for sure.

My favourite memory of the last few years was when we were at a BBQ and someone had their young son with them. This young lad was really keen on climbing the fence, trees, shed, etc. So you spent aaaages with him showing him some climbing routes and encouraging him to jump and just generally being supportive. I can tell you really made this kid’s day. You even offered to his mum to do it again sometime. Just a great example of the type of person you are.

Rest in peace you legend.

Tinkle.

Lucy Stevens

Craig and I met Chris when we moved to NZ. He is one of those rare genuine souls and they instantly bonded over their love of extreme sports, shared humour and energy for life. The last time I saw Chris was at Craig’s memorial and I was so grateful that he made the journey to come.
I’m so sorry you are having to go through this heartbreak. There’s so much pain when you love someone so much. They both lived more in their too short lives than most people can even dream of doing in a lifetime. The best ones are taken too early. Sending you all so much love and strength.

Liv Reynolds (nee Thorp)

Dearest Blinks,

So immensely grateful for the cherished childhood memories.
You were one of a kind and will be greatly missed but forever loved and never forgotten.

Sending huge Aroha to the Blinkhorne Whanau.

Rest easy my friend and safe travels over the rainbow bridge xx