Tributes are flowing for the award-winning reporter, who spent 20 years working for TV3, covering countless stories and presenting the news.
McNeil was born in Wellington in 1942 and began his journalismcareer at the Taranaki Daily News.
He then travelled to the UK and worked as a teacher in London before returning to New Zealand - and eventually to the news.
Journalist Bob McNeil argues with a Māori Warden outside Te Tii marae after all non-Māori media were banned from ceremonies at Waitangi in 2003. Photo / Alan Gibson
He worked in radio for many years but will be best remembered for his work on TV3, starting with the channel just before it went to air in 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2010.
McNeil was married to Jeanette and they have three children.
His daughter Sacha McNeil is also a well-known, journalist and news presenter in New Zealand.
In 2014 McNeil published his memoir News Travels, telling the tales behind the stories he covered both at home and overseas.
In the book, McNeil shares that he had “travelled to enough countries to lose track of the number of passports he’s filled up”.
“The nature of television means you can’t just stay at home and do interviews over the phone, you have to pack your bags, pick up a bulky tripod and go to real places to meet real people ... and now retired there is time to tell some of the tales behind the stories,” the blurb stated.
“Bob has travelled to countless countries to report on issues as varied as disasters in the Pacific Islands, yacht races in Milan and aid projects in Africa. The images he sent back for the news were snapshots of things he saw in person, and often the stories of how he got the stories are just as colourful. From his childhood in Taranaki to his first overseas trip, to being shot at in Fiji and interviewing one of his heroes, Sir Edmund Hillary in Nepal, this book is a chronicle of the importance of stories and an ode to the characters who bring them to life.”
Tony Ciprian with Jeanette and Bob McNeil. Photo / Ollie Dale
News of McNeil’s death was shared on social media and tributes have been posted from his former colleagues and friends.
One News reporter Barbara Dreaver said McNeil was “a damn fine journo and a gentleman”.
“One of the kindest, most genuine journos with such great wit. RIP Bob and much love to Sacha and family,” said journalist Karen Rutherford.
And television and radio reporter Donna-Marie Lever said: “Very sad news. Always so lovely in the field and a class act.”
McNeil’s funeral details are yet to be finalised.
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