In loving memory of Sir Paul Holmes

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) farewells and celebrates Sir Paul Holmes. Sir Paul made an immeasurable contribution to Paralympic Sport in New Zealand. Sir Paul was a public advocate, media influencer and PNZ patron since 1996. Sir Paul has been quoted as saying that seeing Paralympic Sport for the first time in the summer of 1980 in Holland changed his life. That involvement continued in 1992 when he organized and presented a documentary at the Barcelona Paralympic Games. This was followed by another at the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996 and then Sydney 2000 saw the first regular TV coverage of a Paralympic Games by TVNZ. Sir Paul was the face of this coverage and presented a daily one hour show that reported each day of the Games. In addition Sir Paul was a constant champion for Paralympic Sport advocating and reaching so many. Sir Paul once again brought headlines for PNZ as he chose it as his charity of choice during his involvement in Dancing with the Stars. The absolute passion and media presence Sir Paul gave Paralympic sport elevated its profile New Zealand and changed it forever. Paralympics New Zealand will greatly miss our champion in Sir Paul Holmes and our deepest sympathies are with his family and all those he touched in his life.