Obituary: Bruce Mackie

Bruce Mackie. Photo / Supplied

Bruce Mackie was a leading figure in counselling services.

He was best known as the innovative director of Lifeline for more than two decades (1981 - 2002), introducing critical social services such as Mensline, Kidsline, Chinese Lifeline and Gambling Helpline.

Bruce Edward Mackie was born and raised in Wanganui. He left school at 15 to do a motor mechanic apprenticeship before following his heart into theology to become an ordained Methodist minister.

After graduation in 1964, he married Marianne Bowden and the couple were stationed in Nelson, Whangaroa and Christchurch over 10 years, during which time daughters Karin, Robyn and Susan were born.

As associate minister in the Methodist Central Mission in Christchurch, Mr Mackie played a significant role in the introduction of many social services to the city, including Youthline, which would go nationwide.

In 1974, Mr Mackie took a counselling position at Lifeline in Melbourne, becoming director within nine months.

Subsequent experience and training in Australia and the United States exposed him to research and social service practices he could never have had in New Zealand. He returned to New Zealand in 1977.

As director of the Wesley Social Services Trust in Wellington for nearly four years, he oversaw geriatric and residential care facilities, and began a diploma in personnel management.

He was appointed Auckland Lifeline director in 1981. While there, he extended and professionalised the face-to-face counselling service, introduced other significant social services and implemented NZQA accreditation for volunteers.

Mr Mackie sat on various local and national boards and social service committees, including Gambling Helpline, Man Alive and the ACC advisory committee on injury prevention. In the mid 1990s, he introduced telephone counselling services to Ukraine.

In 1999, he established the Brain Training Institute, which used non-invasive, drug-free brain training for improving the quality of life.

A passionate advocate for men's health, Mr Mackie said the ill-health of men - physically, emotionally and spiritually - was the single most pressing social need to address.

"If we are going to heal our society, we have to also ask what is happening to men."

Mr Mackie is survived by Marianne, their three daughters and seven grandchildren. Funeral at 11am today at Pitt St Methodist Church, Auckland.

Bruce Mackie
Jan 11, 1941-Oct 12, 2011