Dougal Thorburn

Pō whakamoemiti for Dougal Thorburn

With love we can confirm that our pō whakamoemiti in memory of Dougal will take place at the Lower Hutt Town Hall, 32 Laings Road, at 3pm on Saturday 21 September. This will be an opportunity for anyone whose life was touched by Dougal to come together to listen to stories, sing together, connect with others and reflect.

The livestream is available at the bottom of this page.

There will be a number of opportunities for us to all sing together. Please see below for waiata (song) lyrics and links.

In addition we would like to invite experienced choral singers to join us in singing a special waiata or two for Dougal, and to give strength to the group singing. If you are interested please register here and we will send you more details.

If you are able, please bring along a native tree or plant for us to put in the ground this spring at Te Raekaihau, where Dougal spent many hours regenerating the bush. If you are traveling or otherwise unable to bring a plant, you might choose to plant a native near your home, or join your local regeneration group for some weeding or planting in the coming months.

We invite you to dress in colourful clothes to celebrate Dougal’s life.

For runners and walkers: The local Parkrun team are holding a memorial Parkrun for Dougal at 8am on Saturday 21st September: for more information please visit this Facebook page.

Please share this link and information with anyone who may wish to join in expressing their aroha for Dougal and whānau.

 

Opportunities to honour Dougal’s memory

Support Dougal’s children – supporting the care and education of Dougal’s two daughters.

Trees for Dougal – contribute a tree to support the work that Dougal was so passionate about.

Please do not follow any link relating to Dougal’s farewell that requires you to enter your credit card details. This scam has been reported to the Police.

 

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THORBURN, Dougal (Ngāti Pou) Passed away suddenly on Tuesday 3 September 2024. Loved partner, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend. Dedicated servant of Papatūānuku. Accomplished athlete and adventurer. Caring doctor and champion of equity for Māori.

Dougal rested at Takapūwāhia Marae (24 Ngatitoa Street, Porirua, Wellington), from 2pm Sunday 8 September until Monday 9th, after which a private burial took place.

 Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui-a-Tāne.

 

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TRIBUTES

Blair Hesp
To follow on from Dr Harding and Mrs McInnes to provide a peer’s perspective on Dougal at Chch Boys’ High, he was always recognised as a multitalented leader within our year. He was that guy who everyone knew was better than everyone else at just about everything. We always competed academically and athletically, and I had the pleasure of co-captaining the cross country team with him, which generally watching him disappear into the distance every time we went for a run. Mischief was never far away too, whether it was using colourful language to tell a 3rd former to go away at our hotel in Sydney only to open the door to find two unimpressed Australian cops standing there or Dr Viney yelling “Dougal, you’re banned!” across the classroom in chemistry while something was on fire (again), or otherwise winding up Miss Todd. It was awesome to catch up last time when it turned out my wife was teaching your kids at kindy, but this was the one race you weren’t supposed to get 1st in.

Brent Halley
Can’t believe you have left us so soon Dougal. Such a wonderful/special person who had so much to offer, and touched so many lives. So privileged to have met/known and trained with you, memories of which I will always cherish, though I struggle with the image of you in a Scottish singlet.! They were very special times in the early 2000’s for the young guns of the green singlet of the Ariki club under the tutelage of the one & only Lin Rayner, of which you were a big and special part of. On behalf of the club and the former members who knew you, our thoughts go out to your family and friends. Rest in peace, our dear friend.

Louette McInnes
Dougal was one of my students at CBHS, and as Dr. Harding said, Dougal was a wonderful student to have at the school. I was so sad to see the notice in the paper.

Max Smith
Heartbreaking to hear this. Many, many great miles shared with Dougal and all of Lin and Craig’s boys at the Cale, and around the streets, hills, and trails of Dunedin, there aren’t many people in the world that I’ve come across that are as good as Dougal. Proud to have known him and proud to have been a teammate of his. Heart goes out to his family and friends.

Russell and Theresa Hurring
We are heartbroken to hear of Dougal’s death. To all his loved ones we send our deepest Aroha and are thinking of you as you negotiate this tragedy.
Dougal left his mark on the hearts of many.
He gifted us a legacy of special memories. Apart from running adventures Dougal was so much more.
We treasure the times we shared, especially at Dunback when the girls were small.
Hold on to the memories of the time you shared.
Biggest of hugs all round.

Bruce Harding
I was shocked to discover that my former esteemed student, Dr Dougal, has died suddenly. My contact with Dougal was when I was an educator at Christchurch Boys’ High School where Dougal was a champion runner and student who was deeply respected and admired. The youn Dougal was a live-wire wth a happy smile and ready wit and his quiet mana enlivened the formality of learning! Dougal was a very special person, and I grieve with his family at this tragic loss when he had so much to live for. I am also uplifted to learn of his Maori values and service to tangata whenua in the health system. In a large, all-male, urban Christchurch ‘white boys’ school this element to his identity was masked even as his lively mind was on full power. I am delighted Dougal developed that special mahi. I am sure that Dougal’s many friends and teachers at CBHS share in a sense of incomprehension and shock as we all recall a beloved member of that School Family.
Me te aroha tino nui atu….BH

Kim Hurst
You were a kind friend, a generous soul, and brought steadfast determination to your mahi. I will remember you often, especially while venturing into the mountains.

Dave and Michele Martin
A most sincere; warm; open and engaging friend and neighbour. We’ll miss everything about you. (No more speeding past the gate or on Mt Vic trails full tilt in running gear – gone before we get to say “Hi…”). You’ve left us with memories of a sweet, intelligent; energetic; funny and thoughtful man. Kia okioki te rangimarie ki taku hoa.

Phil Costley
Such a shock to hear of Dougal’s passing. He was always full of energy with a real appetite for knowledge and adventure. His creation of the DT360 cornering technique while trail running in Canterbury backcountry is a lasting memory. Rest in peace Dougal, we are blessed to have known you and you will be in our memories forever.

Simonette Mallard
Dougal you were a bright star and I was fortunate to have crossed paths with you. You were full of energy, never afraid to ask challenging questions, thoughtful and kind. You inspired me in my career and in running – I’m sorry I never told you this. I hope you are at peace. Much aroha to your loved ones.

Tony Payne
I was so saddened to hear of Dougal’s passing. I spent many years in Dunedin training with Dougal (where he would also push a pram on our runs – often up very steep hills!). His positivity, caring and genuine interest in others is what I will remember him for. Genuinely one of the nicest and most talented people I have ever met. So sorry for your loss.

Brenda & Paul Escott Manchester
Heartbroken to hear this news. You were a treasured neighbour Dougal, & an all round fine human being.
Nga mihi aroha

Michael and Jan Gall
R I P Dougal
Thankyou for all the fun, very happy times you and your lovely daughters shared , camping, tramping ,picnicking orienteering etc, etc, with Andrew, Clare and our granddaughters Lainey and Piper Thompson.
You will always be remembered.

Michelle Ludlow
I’ve just read it in the paper im really sorry on dougal passing he was a fab doctor at oratoa will miss him my thorts go out to the family and friends close and far wide

Brent Halley

Can’t believe you have left us so soon Dougal. Such a wonderful/special person who had so much to offer, and touched so many lives. So privileged to have met/known and trained with you, memories of which I will always cherish, though I struggle with the image of you in a Scottish singlet.! They were very special times in the early 2000’s for the young guns of the green singlet of the Ariki club under the tutelage of the one & only Lin Rayner, of which you were a big and special part of. On behalf of the club and the former members who knew you, our thoughts go out to your family and friends. Rest in peace, our dear friend

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