Supporting the Phillips family

​Rich Phillips, 46, was a man dedicated to his family – his partner Jacqueline and their teenage daughters Freya and Indy. We grieve his loss, but we also send our love and support to his family.

Rich met Jac while travelling in Nepal in 1997. Together with their daughters, they made the move from the UK to New Zealand in 2008, and they have brought their girls up to share their love of the outdoors.

Rich was happiest in the hills with his family and his beloved dog Betsy. He was an experienced climber, hiker, mountain biker and diver who had travelled widely before settling in New Zealand. He was the sort of person who could turn his hand to anything, including having a hands-on role in building the family's home on the Port Hills in Christchurch.

He was a loyal and loving friend who would never fail to go the extra mile for anyone. He earned the respect and admiration of those he met at home, at work, on his travels and even on the sidelines of his girls' sporting events.

Rich's daughters are both still in high school, with several years of study left ahead of them. They are likely to then continue on to university. Funds raised will be put towards their secondary and tertiary education.

Our hearts go out to Rich's partner Jacs and daughters Freya and Indy, who he loved so much and did so much for and with.