Wayne Tacon

Tacon, Wayne Matthew

Passed away peacefully with loved ones present at Wellington Hospital on Wednesday morning, 19^th November 2025. Wayne was the loved and respected husband of Jillian, a wonderful father of Scarlett (and her partner Seamus) and Campbell and beloved brother of Mark and Karen. Adored by his many friends, including colleagues in the School Property Team, Ministry of Education, and he continued to be showered in love and appreciation. We are grateful for the care of Wayne this year by staff at the Bowen Icon Cancer Centre and, particularly, the compassionate and skilled angels in Ward 5 North, Wellington Hospital. A memorial service will be held at the Toitū Pōneke Community & Sports, Kilbirnie on Monday 8^th December 2025 at 11am (also streamed and recorded). A private cremation has been held. Messages to the Tacon family may be made online at lychgate.co.nz/messages or posted c/- 306 Willis Street, Aro Valley, Wellington, 6011. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the NZ Cancer Society to help continue the comprehensive support they provide.

Tributes

Michelle Gudopp

Hi,
I worked with Wayne at EIS from 2012-2015 and I am very sad to hear news of his passing. Wayne was a lovely man who always had a good story and time for a yarn. He was always approachable and happy to share his knowledge or tease out an idea I’d had. I had my first baby during this time and Wayne was very supportive and shared many a story about his family, whom he loved very much. Rest in peace Wayne, my thoughts are with your family.

Glenn McGovern

Dear Jillian and family – I am shocked and saddened to hear this news about Wayne. Such a nice, positive, humorous, intelligent, and good person.
I really wish I had seen more of Wayne after he left Council, but every time I did see him, it was always enjoyable. He was very helpful when I started at Sport NZ in 2019 with some school partnership work. Thinking of you Jillian and your family. I know Wayne will be greatly missed by many. Much aroha. Glenn McGovern

Blyss Wagstaff

Jillian and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and sending my love. Arohanui, Blyss

Sam Thompson

One of the things I liked most about Wayne was that when he asked someone ‘how are you?’, it wasn’t just small talk, the response was something he was genuinely interested in. If your answer was positive, you could see he was pleased and if your answer wasn’t so positive, he was supportive and sympathetic and he would always check in later. That genuineness and care is why people instinctively liked him. He was kind. Thoughtful. Contemplative. Generous. Funny. Sometimes disorganised. Sometimes daft as a brush. Always smiling or joking. He had big ideas – some incredible, some crazy, some unfulfilled. Professionally, he really wanted to make things better that weren’t right. He didn’t want to (and couldn’t) just sit and take a pay cheque – he worked hard to solve problems, challenge formulaic ways of doing things, and help the underserved to be better served. And more recently he achieved that for tens of thousands of kids and hundreds of rural communities around rural New Zealand, landing one of his big ideas with tenacity, persistence, charisma, honesty, no small measure of bureaucratic rule breaking, respectful arguments, plotting sessions over coffee or beer, and battering the status quo over the head with logic, passion and sheer bloody-mindedness. What a legacy to depart with – he changed the way things were done, for the better, for many – mission accomplished. And he had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends on the way, and gave many people opportunities to shine themselves.

To Jillian, Scarlett and Campbell – Wayne was immensely proud of you and always will be. I am so sorry you won’t get more time with him, but you must be so proud of the man he was and nobody will have more to remember him fondly by than you, his family. Thinking of you all, and grateful to have known your husband and father. Sam

Christie Uffindell

Wayne was an extraordinary person whose passion and commitment to improving outcomes left a profound and lasting impact on the education system. His strong values and integrity set a standard that inspired everyone around him. I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside him. I will always remember his optimism and ability to stay positive, even in the most challenging times. Wayne, thank you for the support and guidance you gave me over the past five years, especially during those complex moments when the NIK programme started delivering in the North. To his family, please know that my thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time. Wayne will be deeply missed by so many and I have no doubt he will continue to have an impact and live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Christie

Amdal Searancke family

The Amdal Searancke family sends arohanui and condolences to Jillian, Scarlett and Campbell.
Wayne was a fine man with a smile and jolly english voice that will live in our memories forever.
We were brand new in Island Bay in Wellington when Wayne & Jillian invited us over for dinner, it was an occasion we will always remember.
Scarlett and Kirvil’s close friendship has kept our families connected, and will continue to do so.
Wayne’s smile seemed to be permanent, and we will always remember his dedication to his garage projects.
Some years ago he advised us against buying an apartment downtown which had a questionable EQ rating, we took his advice and were very grateful for it.
Our family is spread to all four corners of the world – Kirvil is in South America, Karin Julius and Russell in Scandinavia – so from afar we send our love and respect to the Tacon family.

Peter & Nola Cameron

As Godparents to Jillian, we are deeply saddened by the death of Wayne. Memories of Wayne are all positive. His relentless enthusiasm, wonderful sense of humour were always on show. Think the smile in the photo tells all. Although our meetings due to distance and now age have been few in the past years, memories of past meeting’s for celebrations, lunches, pubs vastly entertaining, and we think his ability to make his work experiences good for his work colleagues and most who met him. He would, we suspect as a proud Englishman be an enthusiastic if probably daft member of the Barmy Army at present in Australia.
Jillian, Scarlett & Campbell, Bruce, Enid, please accept our condolences for the loss of a husband and father, brother-in-law, son-in-law. He was a good man, who created many lovely memories for you all to remember whether they be humorous or thought provoking.

Elma Frijters

We are deeply sorry for your loss. Wayne’s legacy will continue to inspire me!
May you find comfort in the love of those around you and strength in the cherished memories you hold.

Rob Giller

The memories you hope will not fade … like the 6am starts to climb the ‘Mt Everest’ stairs, or the tales of Otis the snake, or the chats in the comfy chairs long after others had gone home about improving the lot of small schools. The EIS sports afternoons over summer or the white Christmas reindeer that wandered home for Scarlett. How you mowed me down rolling along the ground when I had a clear run to the line. And so many more great memories. We all wish for more time with those we love and admire. We regret not staying in touch enough. Today I will celebrate the time I got and the legacy you have left, for family, for friends and for New Zealand communities that won’t always know the impact you made for them. As friends go Wayne, you are one of the best.

James Whitlock

Wayne was one of the most dynamic and talismanic characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He had an elemental presence, and the excitement and momentum he created with the Ngā Iti Kahurangi project was astonishing. It has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding projects of my career.

Thousands of NZ kids will be treated to a better education, thanks to improved acoustics in their classrooms. Wayne made this happen.

A wonderful man has left the world and left us wondering why. My deepest condolences to Wayne’s family and friends.

Dani Cunningham

To Wayne, thank you for your support, chats, guidance and ever welcoming spirit! I wasn’t a member of your team but you made always included all and I will remember your annual mahi Xmas bbqs fondly! It was inspiring to see what could be accomplished in what is a trialling environment and you did it will gusto and with fierce conviction while lifting others around you up as you went.

To Wayne’s whānau, my deepest sympathies. I feel privileged to have spent time with Wayne to have known him and to have been guided by him. What an impact.
Arohanui, Dani x

Richard Stone

Hi, I am a friend of Wayne’s, I met him at education many years ago. Myself, Dean and Greg used to catch up every few months with Wayne for a boys afternoon, which invariably ended up with us all eating a bit too much for dinner! He said he loved the camaraderie between us and the terrible pool and darts games we played. He will be terribly missed by us all and we will raise a glass in his memory when we are three out without our very dear friend. Thank you for the privilege of being able to attend his memorial to get to know a few more things about Wayne that we did not know. Rest in peace our friend.