Long-time Rotorua Daily Post and New Zealand Herald columnist Garth George has died.
His writing was often coloured by his strong Christian beliefs.
“Part of it is the fact that I have been blatantly Christian. A lot don’t like that at all,” George told the Daily Post last February.
George died in Rotorua Hospital on Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 75-years-old.
His journalism career spanned more than five decades since he started at the Southland Times in 1958.
During his career he worked for a variety of papers including the Herald, Auckland Star, Dominion Post and Rotorua Daily Post.
Former Rotorua Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said George had been a much-valued columnist whose views often sparked a response from readers.
“Garth had a knack for getting right to the heart of an issue, and while I didn’t always agree with what he wrote, you couldn’t deny his passion for both writing and for his beliefs.”
George is survived by his wife Judith, children Michele and Michael, and grandchildren Ben and Holly.
A Mass will be held for him on Friday at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Rotorua from 1pm, followed by a private burial.
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