KWOK, Ivan: O.N.Z.M.

[NZBC]

KWOK, Ivan: O.N.Z.M. 23/11/1941 - 2/06/2020
Passed away after a long struggle with cancer on Tuesday 2 June 2020, aged 78 years, at Te Hopai Home and Hospital in Newtown, Wellington. Dearly beloved son of the late Colin and Wai Ho Kwok. Loved brother of Shirley, Tom and the late Katherine and Raymond. Respected brother-in-law of the late Keith Yee Joy, and uncle of Andrew and Pamela. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mary Potter Hospice would be appreciated and may be made at www.marypotter.org.nz Messages for Ivan and his family may be left in his tribute book at www.tributes.co.nz or sent C/- P.O. Box 7123, Wellington 6242. A funeral service for Ivan will be held at Pipitea Marae, Thorndon Quay, Wellington, on Friday 12 June 2020 at 2.00pm, followed by private cremation.


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Published in Dominion Post from June 6 to June 8, 2020

[NZBC]

Saturday, 13 June 2020
Condolences to the Kwok family. Such a wonderful family. Fond memories. Arohanui from the family of Sonny & Una Hiroa.
Much love Tom arohanui Maraea (Hiroa) Bellamy
~ Maraea Bellamy
Friday, 12 June 2020
I served in the Treasury with Ivan. He was a tower of wisdom in all situations, always willing to search for the best way to achieve a success policy outcome for New Zealanders. His award was very well deserved. He will be missed by all who worked with him. RIP. Pat Duignan
~ Pat Duignan,Wellington
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Condolences and love to the family. Ivan, you had always been like an uncle to me over the last 30 years and will be greatly missed. Thank you for everything.
~ Yam Shung,Wellington
Tuesday, 9 June 2020
Ivan was from Taihape, my local town. My family were customers of his parents business. So basically, I've known Ivan and his surviving siblings, Shirley and Tommy, all my life.

Ivan's family was very well regarded and loved in Taihape.

My late father and I attended his mother's funeral many years ago.

I knew Ivan was at Treasury, but only relatively recently did I get a handle on his impact within Maoridom.

About three years ago I had the privilege at reconnecting with Ivan on a Ministerial Advisory Group. On "chewing the fat", he even remembered the cigarettes my parents smoked, that happened to be the same as his mother.

Many condolences and much love to Shirley and Tommy and all the mokopuni.


~ Harvey Bell,Feilding, Manawatu-Wanganui
Contact Me
Monday, 8 June 2020
RIP Mr Kwok, we will always remember you and your family, fondest regards to Tommy and family, from the Potaka Whanau.
~ Blip Potaka-Nightingale,TAIHAPE
Saturday, 6 June 2020
Dear Ivan,

The time you best showed a winning hand, was when you floored your family, friends and me in accepting the ONZM in 2019 in recognition for you life work. This shy and soft spoken man who faced the same battle I did - who chuckled during our long conversations - encouraging and advisjng me on my current challenging study, work and health pursuits.

Im sure no one could of been prepared for the jaw dropping magnitude of tribute and gestures of thanks made to you. A new part of you was revealed to even your closest friends and family as you shine more brightly in splendour. How blown away I was as I listened to the stories shared and the true worth of this tireless man who spent his time creating great change.

Ivan it was at that moment, you became an embodiment of someone living a happy, fulfilled and respectable life, I saw the wisdom and importance in an ability to see beyond the surface and giving to others your time.

Your mastery balancing such a public profle and private lifestyle with such grace, humility and strength, Ivan your advice was spot on and I shouldn't be afraid of weakness, mistakes or the unseen but stay true to who I am.

In one of our conversations With how to stay strong when fighting our condition, we discussed to move forward we stand upon the shoulders of giants - so keeping my promise to you, rising up I will reflect on all these lessons you taught me. But before I walk please allow me to stand first, taking a moment to say how proud I was to see you honoured in such a grandeur. Ivan to me your not just a giant but a legend

You are quoted to say Never say never for what was impossible years ago may be possible tomorrow', The legacy you left know no boundaries - you showed us greatness and humility. You were recognised as someone who changed a nation and gave voice to a people. Your instinct to not place judgement but to see peoples potential, your unparalleled wisdom and knowledge and gentle mentorship to so many leaders.... Ivan, the life you lived was a truly great investiture and will continue to produce greatness through those who were inspired by you.

I am saddened I cannot join with everyone and accompany Tom due to the international lockdown. You know how annoyed I was with the current climate, You insisted I focus on taking care of Tom, my own battle with Cancer, my Rize Artisan development and assured me you had so much to be occupied with. You never liked to be a burden on anyone anyway and so your response would be oh never you mind'

I know this is not goodbye - knowing you probably would of made arrangements to continue to watch over everyone where ever you are. So as many start to gather, celebrate and honour Ivan, I send my condolences to the family and apologies for Tom and I not being able to be there.

I finish by saying Ivan, you have succeeded in passing the torch and as big of the void you left is. I know so many you touched will also continue paving the way for the future you saw. Like them I will always carry your legacy and you won't be forgotten by the words, teachings and memories of you etched in our hearts.

Now as stubborn as you can be to ceremony, Ivan, to shown a place of such honour as a final service - The send off will be as great as how you lived. I know you will understand and forgive the absence of Tom and I - as heartbreaking as it is, we know many tears will be shed even though you insisted people didn't.

Listen as you always did and smile with the warmth that always gave me strength to face anything The tears shed during your passing are to honour your legacy, personally remember your impact and express with happiness that we are ever humbled that you touched our life.

Your loss feels like a crisis but as you advised Never waste a good crisis'. Publicly you have have been a Sentinel of justice and peace but to me you will always be what I privately witnessed a watchful big brother / uncle / relative / in-law and gentle protector. So go now Ivan and finally get some rest... then you either smash out a few table tennis rounds and whip out the cards and play a few hands

Thank you for everything Ivan - I wont give up the fight and because of you we all will be okay.

Dion (Your brother Toms partner)
~ Dion Arlotta, Melbourne, Victoria
~ Dion Arlotta,Melbourne, Victoria
Contact Me
Saturday, 6 June 2020
Farewell my old friend from boarding school onwards. You have been released from the grip of your infirmities.

Your anchor influence and advice while giving long service to Treasury has made a real difference to NZ society.

Your loyal support to your parents and late sister are an example to us all.
My sympathy to all your family.

Farewell old friend.

Derek Milne

[NZBC]

KWOK, Ivan, O.N.Z.M - Passed away after a long struggle with cancer on Tuesday 02 June 2020, aged 78 years, at Te Hopai Home and Hospital in Newtown, Wellington.

Dearly beloved son of the late Colin and Wai Ho Kwok. Loved brother of Shirley, Tom and the late Katherine and Raymond. Respected brother-in-law of the late Keith Yee Joy, and uncle of Andrew and Pamela.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Mary Potter Hospice would be appreciated and may be made at www.marypotter.org.nz.

Messages for Ivan and his family may be left in his tribute book at www.tributes.co.nz or sent C/- P.O. Box 7123, Wellington 6242.

A funeral service for Ivan will be held at Pipitea Marae, Thorndon Quay, Wellington on Friday 12 June 2020 at 2pm, followed by private cremation.


www.tributes.co.nz/ViewMyTribute.aspx?id=15385