Nigel Latta funeral: Psychologist farewelled at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront

Love was a common word used as friends and family gathered to remember the life of respected clinical psychologist, author and TV personality Nigel Latta.

An estimated 250 people were at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront and many watched online. Latta’s brother Chris, kids Rina and Kieran, stepchildren Elijah and Maya, and wife Natalie Flynn were among those to share memories.

The 58-year-old died at Mercy Hospice on September 30 after a 16-month battle with stomach cancer, the same day his last book, Lessons on Living, was published.

Flynn described those months as hard, but mostly lovely, as they got to spend time together and create lasting memories.

She shared a love poem Latta wrote for her just before his death that embodied his sense of humour and kindness, which led to him being adored by many New Zealanders.

“I’m so very sorry I couldn’t keep my promise,” the letter said. “I hope I pushed hard to stay with you. In the end though, the cancer was stronger, and it got the better of me.

“It blew and it blew and it blew my house down. I know you would have been there with me through all of that. Poor Natalie Flynn, how hard that must have been for you. But I know you would have held my hand and ruffled your fingers through my hair and been so very strong.

Nigel Latta's wife Natalie Flynn at the celebration of his life in Auckland. Photo / Jason Dorday

“I want you to find joy again. That is my wish for you more than anything. Joy. Grief tears you away from the world, it peels you off and the world moves on without you. It catches you on a web of pain and loss.

“You’ll have to carry that grief for a while. It will get better, we both know that, but you will have to carry it some distance, nonetheless. And if I could take it all off you, if I could spare you all of that, then you know I would. I’d carry it all if I could. I’d take every last little bit of it and leave you with light whispered kisses instead, but I can’t.”

Latta’s coffin was on display, with people in attendance encouraged to write messages on it.

Proceedings began with a pōwhiri by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, before his brother and other close friends spoke.

One of them was Wairoa Primary School principal Richard Lambert, who described Latta’s influence in the community after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

Lambert recalled Latta meeting with two high-profile gang leaders and how he managed to get everyone to put their differences aside for the greater good of the community.

His daughter Rina recalled memories of them travelling, while his son Kieran said: “He wasn’t scared, he was happy, he was ready.”

His stepkids Maya and Elijah said he had a big influence on their lives and made their mum, Flynn, a very happy woman.

Members of the public gathered at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront to pay tribute to Nigel Latta. Photo / Jason Dorday

Latta first met Flynn after emailing her about a project he was working on, which was to help as many parents and children as he possibly could by creating an affordable parenting app.

Flynn, also a clinical psychologist, ended up marrying Latta on November 25, 2023. Less than a year later, he was diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stomach cancer in September 2024 and given between six and 12 months to live.

But in March 2025, Latta said in a post on social media his cancer was in remission and he expected to live for “years and years”.

At the end of the celebration of his life, Flynn shared some words of wisdom – wondering how Latta would have ended the speech if he was there.

“Go home and hold the hand of someone you love,” Flynn said.

“And if there’s no one at home, you can clasp your own hands together and hold your own hand.

“But not if you need to do something that requires both hands, like eating or brushing your teeth, because that would just be f***ing stupid.”