A man who fought for the East Coast in local politics and sports has been remembered by his friends and colleagues as a champion of the community.
Bill Burdett was 82 when he died on Thursday this week.
Gisborne District Council paid respects to the long-serving former councillor for the Waiapu-Matakaoa ward in a post on social media.
“For 24 years Bill faithfully represented his community, becoming a beloved leader known for his dedication, wisdom and advocacy,” the post reads.
“Bill’s influence extended far beyond his role on council. A tireless champion for the coast and its people, he worked hard to ensure their voices were heard.”
The council noted his insights and expertise guided critical and beneficial decisions for the region in his role as a member of the regional transport and wastewater management committees.
“Bill’s deep understanding of his community and commitment left an indelible mark, shaping outcomes that will resonate for generations to come,” the council said.
“On behalf of the council, management and staff, Mayor Rehette Stoltz expresses heartfelt condolences and aroha to Nat and whānau. Bill’s legacy of service, compassion and leadership will continue to inspire us all. May he rest in peace.”
Burdett had been a councillor since 1998. His last term on the Gisborne District Council ended in 2022.
He was awarded a Queen’s Service Order in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to the community and local government.
In the wider community, he gave 40 years of service to Mangahanea Marae, Uepohatu Marae and Whakarua Park Board.
He served as chairman of Te Puawaitanga o Ruatoria Community Trust for 14 years, helping to bring the district council and Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou together on the koka huhua project to fight erosion on the Waiapu River, and was a trustee of Ngāti Porou Runanga Iwi for nine years.
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He played for the Ruatōria City rugby club, served as its president, secretary and treasurer, and had served as a board member, chairman, president and life member for Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby Football Union (NPEC).
Burdett “straddled the rugby landscape”, according to NPEC president Campbell Dewes.
“Bill was an unconditional servant of Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby at all levels, right through to the highest echelons of the NZ Rugby Union,” Dewes said.
“He was very much hands-on at a grassroots and flaxroots level.”
He recounted how Burdett never shied away from any kind of work for the benefit of his community - from working on the plumbing at Whakarua Park to mowing the lawns, manning the gates, putting out flags and attending every after-match function.
“He has left us with big shoes to fill.”
Former Gisborne mayor Meng Foon described Burdett as a “great mate” and “hearty Nati” who cared for his community.
“Bill knew everyone and everyone’s whakapapa. He was a wealth of local knowledge, he was passionate in getting the best for the Coast, he spoke up for roads, waste management, water, stock on the road, township upgrades. He had my full support,” Foon said.
“He would be one of the hardest-working councillors as he covered great distances, attended all the Coast meetings and travelled the furthest to attend council meetings. He was dedicated, was very generous to his community, in supporting his marae with meat.”
Foon said the biggest success he remembered Burdett for was his advocacy that helped prevent the amalgamation of Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby Union with Poverty Bay.
“Bill said ‘You’re our mayor and we need to go to Wellington to lobby the NZRU’, we face the board and thankfully, we still have two rugby unions in the Tairāwhiti,” he said.
John Clarke, Gisborne district mayor from 1989 to 2001, said Burdett was “absolutely passionate [about] and dedicated to the Coast” from the council, rugby and community perspectives.
“You wouldn’t have found anybody better on the council to advocate for the region the way Bill did,” Clarke said.
“He was pragmatic and a dedicated attender. It was a bit of a haul down the Coast and there were a lot of them [meetings]; you could count on Bill being there.”
“He was a great team person around the council table and a great supporter of management.”
“It’s a loss to the rugby fraternity as well as to the wider Waiapu community.”
Former long-time Gisborne Herald chief reporter John Jones dealt with Burdett over his entire career in local government.
“My association with the family goes back to Syd Burdett, Bill’s father, who was chairman of Waiapu County Council,” Jones said.
“I knew Bill all the time he was on the district council and we had a very good relationship of mutual trust.”
“Bill was a strong champion for the Coast, which he always referred to me as home.”
A whānau spokesperson confirmed a service was held at Evan’s funeral services on Friday. Burdett’s body will be taken to Mangahanea Marae where he will lie until his nehu (burial) at Ruatōria Cemetery on Sunday.
He is survived by his partner, Natalie, and his children.
