Two-week wait before 'boy from the 'Naki' comes home

Craig Norgate, pictured in 2008. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The family of Fonterra's first chief executive, Craig Norgate, may have to wait more than two weeks before they can bring the 50-year-old's body home for a funeral in Taranaki.

Mr Norgate was in London with wife Jane, son Jordan and daughter Alexandria when he collapsed and died this week.

Alexandria had organised with her father that she would arrive in London to surprise her mother, and got there the morning before he died.

She said the family had been told by the coroner it could take two weeks or more before an autopsy could be performed. "It is a terrible shame, as we just want to bring him home."

Mr Norgate was exploring business opportunities in the UK, and had spent the evening before his death out in the British capital with his family.

He used to describe himself as a "boy from the 'Naki", and those who knew him have called him humorous, energetic, passionate, visionary, driven and inspirational.

Mr Norgate was Fonterra's chief executive from 2001 to 2003, before he headed to PGG Wrightson, then the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

His most recent role was leading the transformation of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, which he completed in April.

He was also on the board of directors of Port Taranaki and of the New Plymouth District Council's investment fund.

"He was a great leader, and an inspiration," Port Taranaki boss Guy Roper said. "He had wit and intelligence and he always cut to the chase."

Mr Norgate was born in Hawera in 1965 and studied at Massey University before taking up a management role at the Department of Maori Affairs when he was 21.

He was a family man who, when Alexandria, Jordan and their brother Dylan were young and he was working in Taranaki, made a point of leaving the office at 5.30pm.

His other passion was rugby. A former director of New Zealand Rugby and the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, he had invested in the Chiefs, and had bought 19 tickets to the 2015 Rugby World Cup games.

"I am sad that you won't be able to walk me down the aisle one day, but grateful for the 21 years I was blessed with your love," his daughter said in a tribute.