Monty Knight was called the godfather of Northland wine, thanks to his award-winning wines at Okahu Estate.
Kaitāia businessman, winemaker and community leader Monty Knight was remembered for his enthusiasm, passion and good humour at a memorial attended by hundreds today.
The 80-year-old died on November 16 and a 57-year-old woman with name suppression has been charged with his murder.
While his family held a private funeral and cremation, they hosted a public event for the wider community, with about 300 packing into the main hall at Te Ahu and more watching on large screens outside and in the cinema.
Auckland Mayor and former Far North Mayor Wayne Brown – who said he knew Knight from when he first started in business in Kerikeri – said it was appropriate the service was held at Te Ahu.
Knight first helped fundraise for a revamp of the old hall.
Later, while in local government, he pushed a “for Kaitāia, by Kaitāia” approach, sacking an Auckland-based architect and hiring a local designer who came up with the concept of Te Ahu, Brown said.
The project brought together the isite, Far North District Council offices, museum and library to “create this wonderful thing that is Te Ahu”, he said.
Brown suggested the hall should be renamed the “Monty Knight Memorial Hall” – a concept warmly received by the crowd and repeated often by MC John Markby.
Knight’s oldest daughter Karren O’Carroll spoke about the many stages of Knight’s life, including running dances and his own nightclub Sergeant Peppers, and being a signwriter.
“Over the years, Dad grew into many roles: a businessman, vintner and community advocate. He approached these with the same combination of passion, grit and integrity,” she said.
O’Carroll said Knight adored his three daughters and “made sure the world knew it”.
“His pride in us wasn’t just reserved for special occasions ... He stood beside us in highs and lows.”
O’Carroll said her father and mother Beverly went their separate ways but he was lucky to find his “best friend” Charmaine Foster, and they were together for 20 years.
No eulogy about Knight would be complete without mentioning his humour, which was a reminder to find light even in dark times, she said.
“Sometimes it was inappropriate; often it was inappropriate. But it was his way of connecting and reminding us not to be too serious.”
Knight’s humour was mentioned by virtually all the speakers.
Charmaine Foster’s son, Dane Foster, said Knight had the rare ability to laugh at himself.
“His laugh was infectious.”
Dane also spoke of Knight’s love of wine and food – including cooking everything in lard and duck fat – and his desire to share these loves with everyone else.
“His door wasn’t just open, it was inviting.”
Former Marsden Estate Winery owner Rod MacIvor talked about Knight, “the godfather” of Northland’s wine industry, starting his first grapevines in 1984.
Knight’s devotion to the industry involved helping MacIvor plant his own grapes in Kerikeri, in what many others might have viewed as competition.
Knight’s love of music, and propensity to break into song at the drop of a hat, were also common themes.
Many songs were sung, including a videoed presentation by UK musician Peter Grattan and a rendition of Wagon Wheel by friend Keith Dawson.
A poem by a friend Alex Witten-Hannah and song by Larry Small – which Knight got to hear at his 80th birthday in April – were also repeated for the memorial.
NZ First MP and fellow Far North son, Shane Jones, said Knight added a bit of dazzle to Kaitāia when Jones was young.
“He was a champion of Kaitāia and Ninety Mile Beach, to the extent that he imbued what it means to live in this part of New Zealand: the expectation that you will dig deep and have the tenacity to carve out a life.”
Jones likened Knight to a pōhutukawa tree: surviving in treacherous soil but breaking out in red joy in the right season.
“It’s not for the faint-hearted to stand out from the crowd, to stand up to your critics, to champion the positive when bad news always travels first.”
Knight’s life was summed up by one of his favourite quotes, by EE Cummings, shared on his memorial card: “To be nobody but yourself, in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you like everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.”
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.