The statement from Humanists NZ below was read at the tangi for Ngaire McCarthy on 27 Jan 2021.
The Council and members of Humanist NZ are deeply saddened by the death of Ngaire. We remember her for her warmth, as well as for her no-nonsense, down-to-earth attitude to religion.
Ngaire was a key facilitator at the 2015 Napier Conference “Future Directions of Rationalism and Humanism”, an event that helped New Zealand’s Humanists and Rationalists bond through our shared goals – a bond that has endured.
We were encouraged by Ngaire’s leading role at the Humanist Conference in Auckland in August 2018, held as part of Humanist International’s General Assembly. The conference brought Humanists from around the world to our shores, and they joined us in enjoying Ngaire’s quick wit and infectious laugh.
We will miss Ngaire’s forthright and clear approach to Humanism, and her tireless promotion of atheism. Ngaire was always a unifier for Humanism in New Zealand, and made everyone feel welcome.
With a sad heart Humanist NZ sends our condolences to Ngaire’s whanau, and also to Ngaire’s colleagues in our sister organisation the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists. Ngaire’s wit, wisdom and fun will be missed by us all.