Christopher Clayton

Clayton, Christopher

On 24 July 2025, suddenly at home, in his 76^th year. Loved husband of Maria and father of Raphael, Johanna and Sarah. Respected and loved by his extended family. Thanks to Dr Scotty Newman for insightful care, and to the district health nurses. Requiem Mass at 2 pm on Wednesday 30 July at St Raphael’s, 22 O’Carrolls Road, Hawarden. Burial at Horsley Downs cemetery, Masons Flat.

TRIBUTES

Barbara Seddon

Dear Chris
You were a much liked and respected colleague and so enjoyably erudite! A big intellect and a big personality. The conversations at the photocopier were always much longer than the printing took 🙂 You were always kind, always genial and it was always good to see you. Happy memories. Your passing will leave a huge gap in your family and I feel for all your loved ones, especially Maria.

Melissa Ford

Christopher worked for 18 years in the Office of the Chief of Defence Force researching and preparing responses to requests for information, select committee responses and a variety of other duties. For those of us who worked alongside him, we will always remember him as a larger-than-life character within the office. Even now at this sad time, as we reflect on his time with us, we smile and recall many stories that epitomise Christopher, his personality and professionalism. Christopher had an intelligence and a way with words which could easily disarm the less well endowed with these gifts. He was a gentleman, always ready to assist and support but he could also be gruff and short when he needed to be when he was being given the run around. His desk was his empire, with the clear and clean desk policy something to be admired but not necessarily rigorously adhered with. He was comfortable eating there and on the odd occasion taking a quick nap in place. Christopher was also an early adopter of modern vaping technology, and he would often be seen outside Defence House pouring over documents in a cloud of vapour. We are sure this improved the quality of the end product. Christopher was always an active contributor to the team and his home-made sausage rolls for shared lunches were a team favourite and became famous beyond the confines of the Office of the Chief of Defence Force. People would seek him out for the recipe, but this information was closely guarded as for the most sensitive request for Official Information. For anyone who got to know Christopher at work, they would know that he was a good person, kind and generous, open and giving. It was a shock to hear of his passing, but we guess all good things must come to an end. We would like to express our sincerest condolences to Maria, family and friends at this time. Our thoughts are with you all.
Kindest regards
Office of the Chief of Defence Force Team.

John McLeod

Christopher was my colleague at Defence for a number of years. He had a great intellect, read widely, and shared his views passionately. While we disagreed of many issues, Christopher was always courteous and respectful as well as being a good colleague. I always enjoyed our discussions but could never win an argument. He was there to be of help when required and a genius at the office quiz. My deepest sympathy to his family.

Adrienne King-Turner

Dear Maria & Cousins.. And to Christopher; listen up!
Christopher’s mother, Alice, was my mother’s younger sister. He & I played together quite a bit when young, but my lasting memory of him began when I took my first flight to Wellington and spent several weeks immersed in clowning around, meeting Malaysian diplomats, takingvthectrain to town to see foreign films, riding bicycles with the neighbouring children around the dead end of Foster Crescent and making puddings with many eggs; stimulating things that didn’t happen at home. When he was sent to boarding school in Oamaru, as a teenager, he wrote to me [and who else i wonder?], pleading poverty, so I sent him a money order for £5, being soft-hearted where he was concerned. That was five days’ raspberry picking money; i hope he spent it well! Christopher’s was quick to invite myself and a college pal up to Belmont for a roast lunch as we set out on a hitch-hiking trip around the North Island in 1967. It was an absolutely perfect meal, but in his typical, self-depricating way, he also opened a bottle of white wine. I had to quickly decide whether to accept this kind offer, or stick with The Pledge of not letting alcohol into my system until I was 21. Recognition of his hospitality won and I subsequently climbed back on the wagon for the next three years. No regrets. Our last meeting was at his lovely home in Wellington. He wanted to show my partner and I an unusual plant. Typically, we three soon started talking about everything else! Wherever your spirit is roaming, Christopher, there will be an angle nobody else has thought of and spirits who will be bouyed up by your ‘take’ on things.

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