HOLMES, Matthew Henare. Unexpectedly passed away while in Dunedin on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, aged 46 years. Dearly loved husband of Debs. Cherished father of Jacob, Tewhia, Shania, Aaron, and Brayden.
A celebration of Matt’s life will be held at the Te Awamutu Presbyterian Centre, Mutu Street, Te Awamutu on Wednesday, 3rd June 2026 at 11.00am, followed by a private cremation. Messages to the Holmes Family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800 or left in Matt’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz
6 Messages:
When I heard the news of your passing, I was surprised how deeply it affected me. I hadn’t seen you in around 15 years, but some people leave a mark on your life that time doesn’t erase.
You came into our lives and embraced us as our stepdad, but you to me, you were so much more than a title.
You were a huge part of my childhood and someone I looked up to.
Some of my happiest memories are tied to music because of you.
You were the person who opened my ears to different kinds of music and showed me that there was a whole world beyond what I knew.
You sparked a love of music in me that has stayed with me throughout my life. Even today, the variety of music I listen to is because of the influence you had on me all those years ago.
I still remember you helping me with my first guitar. You tuned it for me when I couldn’t do it myself. You took me to the music shop to buy new strings and picks. You gave me lessons and tried teaching me how to play.
Looking back now, those might seem like small moments, but they weren’t small moments to me.
They were moments of patience, encouragement and connection.
They were moments that made a kid feel seen and supported.
Although I stopped playing guitar, I didn’t leave behind what you gave me through music.
That stayed and it became a part of who I am.
My heart breaks for my brother and sister as they navigate the world since losing their dad.
But I am grieving too, not only for the man that has passed, but for a person that helped shape my childhood and gave me something that I still carry with me everyday.
Life is a strange thing. We move on, years pass and people take different paths.
But sometimes it takes a loss to remind us how much someone meant to us.
You may not have realized the impact you had on my life, but it was significant.
Thank you for the music.
Thank you for the memories.
Thank you for the kindness, the lessons, and the time that you gave to us.
You will always be remembered, and every time a song moves me, a small part of that will always belong to you.
Rest easy Matthew x
My dearest brother,
We may not have known each other, not truly, the way a brother and sister might, but the time we did have, I remember your smile and your patience.
To pair your knowledge and love of music into your sibling is one thing, but teaching her to play the guitar as a cack-handed is another. Your patience to teach me shows so much of your character as a young man.
I know you can continue to support your beautiful children where you are now, at peace.
You are so loved.
Char xx
Hi my darling mum nana your sister’s casey and aimee and brother Kieran your nephew reece niece jazlyn and your beloved jo the mother of your precious children Jacob and tewhia my wonderful grandbabies will be with you soon to watch your final send off all your waaka family napier family martin family and Holmes family and your amazing friends love and miss you dearly you are and always be my darling precious boy 👦 love you to the moon and back as your precious little sister aimee would say thank you for being a great big brother to your brother and sisters aroha forever my precious baby boy 💜 💜💜💜💜💜💤sleep well pain-free now and watch over us all be with loving uncles and precious niece Crystal 💜 ♥ 💕
Matty carried a strength that wasn’t always loud, but it was real. In the time I walked alongside him, I saw a man who kept showing up even when life felt heavy. He worked hard to face his challenges, not perfectly, not without struggle, but with a genuine desire to do better for himself and the people he loved. That takes courage. That takes heart.
What stood out most was his willingness to try. Even on the days when he felt tired or overwhelmed, he still turned up with honesty. He still asked the hard questions of himself. He still reached for change. That effort mattered. It showed the depth of his character and the hope he carried inside him.
Matty had a way of connecting with people, not just through that quiet softness he kept tucked under his tough exterior, but through his loud humour, his cheeky one‑liners, and the way he could light up a room without even trying. And when he picked up his guitar, you saw another side of him again, the creative, gentle, expressive part of his spirit that came out through every chord he strummed. He reminded us that healing isn’t a straight line, and that every step forward, no matter how small, is still a step of mana. His laughter, his music, and his effort to keep trying will stay with us.
Today, we honour him not for perfection, but for his humanity. For his fight. For the way he kept trying. For the love he held for his whānau. For the parts of himself he was working so hard to reclaim.
Moe mai rā, Matty. Your effort, your courage, and your wairua will not be forgotten.
Much love and light,
Crystal and Nick (A team)
Thank you for your kind words and the tireless work you did supporting Matt. He spoke of you both with love and admiration – aspiring to one day be just like you and be able to help others too.
I imagine your work is thankless and heartbreaking at times, but please know it is also beautiful and brings comfort and support to your people and their families. I know that I always felt better knowing he was with you guys and safe for a while. You took such good care of him, and he loved you both for it.
Thank you x
Thank you for sharing such heartfelt kōrero. Your words carry wairua, and we receive them with deep respect. It was an honour to walk alongside Matt. He wasn’t just someone we supported; he became part of our whānau in the ways that matter, through shared stories, trust, and the courage he showed every day.
He carried a strong mauri, even in the hardest moments, and he always held tight to the people he loved. Hearing that he spoke of us with admiration is something we will treasure. But truly, the strength was his. We simply stood with him, upheld his mana, and tried to create a space where he could breathe, rest, and be himself without judgment.
Our mahi can be heavy, but it is also a privilege. Knowing he felt safe with us, even for a short time, reminds us why we do what we do. Thank you for trusting us with someone so precious to your whānau. We hold you all in our thoughts as you grieve, remember, and celebrate the beautiful parts of who he was.
Arohanui
Crystal