2023 in review: Those we lost this year

In this 2023 in review, 1News is taking a look back at the notable figures who died this year.

From Kiwi greats to international superstars, this is who left us in 2023.

Kiwi comedian Cal Wilson died in October this year aged just 53.

She grew up in Christchurch and moved to Melbourne in 2003 to star in the sketch show Skithouse.

She later appeared in the likes of Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, Would I Lie To You and in her own Netflix stand-up special.

The aviation entrepreneur and Warbirds over Wānaka founder Sir Tim Wallis died in October at the age of 85.

The Greymouth-born businessman helped pioneer New Zealand's deer farming industry after realising that helicopters were perfect for live captures.

He also founded Warbirds over Wānaka, a three-day airshow held every two years to crowds of 50,000 people.

Sir Tim headed the event's organising team until 2006, when it was passed on to the Warbirds Over Wānaka Community Trust.

He was knighted for his services to deer farming exports and the community in 1994.

Prominent New Zealand mental health advocate Dr Tom Mulholland also died in October, with many tributes being paid to him on social media.

Mulholland featured as an expert on medical issues in the media for much of his career and was a regular columnist on Stuff until 2019.

He also toured New Zealand in his own branded ambulance to promote mental and physical health.

World champion Kiwi wood chopping legend Jason Wynyard died of cancer this year.

Wynyard won nine senior world championships in his time at the top of his sport.

Wynyard, 49, was diagnosed with stage four Burkitt Lymphoma in May, an aggressive form of cancer.

Jodi Barnett, wife of TV and radio personality Simon Barnett, died at her family home in Christchurch this year.

It comes after she battled brain cancer for five-and-a-half years.

A statement announcing her death said she died "peacefully" and "surrounded by family".

Professor Richie Poulton, who for 23 years was director of the world-acclaimed Dunedin Study, died during 2023 at age 61.

The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study began in 1972.

It followed 1037 babies, born in Dunedin in the 12 months after the study began. Fifty years on, more than 90% of the original cohort, who are still alive, remain in the study.

The study was the beloved centre of Poulton’s professional life. A clinical psychologist, prior to running the Study he’d worked for it as a researcher and interviewer, and he had a relationship of immense trust and closeness with many of the people in it.

Kiwi millionaire and philanthropist Chloe Wright died at her home in Ōmokoroa, Tauranga in September 2023.

Wright, one of the richest people in New Zealand, was the co-founder of BestStart, New Zealand’s largest early childhood education franchise.

Renowned Māori scholar Sir Patrick Hohepa died in September this year.

A former University of Auckland professor of Māori Language, he was the first to advocate for a marae at the tertiary institution.

He served as the Māori Language Commissioner for Te Taura Whiri from 1997 to 2007, and was a member of Te Waka Toi, the Māori Board of Creative New Zealand in the early 2000s.

In 2014, he led the New Zealand delegation accompanying an exhibition of 50 Gottfried Lindauer paintings depicting Māori to Europe.

He was knighted for his servies to Māori culture and tradition.

Aotearoa's most successful domestic netball coach, Robyn Broughton, died this year aged 80.

As coach of the Southern Sting she won a record seven national titles across 10 seasons.

Māori rights activist Dun Mihaka died in August this year. He was aged 81.

Mihaka became renowned in the 1970s and 1980s as a fearless advocate for Māori rights and was a pivotal figure in making te reo Māori an official language in Aotearoa.

In particular, Māori Land Court judge Alana Thomas (Ngāpuhi) said he played an important role in normalising te reo Māori within the courtroom.

Former All Blacks captain Tane Norton died this August aged 81.

Born Rangitane Will Norton in Waikari in 1942, he had a long first-class rugby career which led him to captain the All Blacks in nine matches, including a series win over the British and Irish Lions in 1977. He played 27 Tests for his country after debuting in 1971.

New Zealand's oldest man, Jack Coe, died this year after his 107th birthday.

Peter Coe, Jack's son, told 1News his father's death came as a "surprise", despite his health fading in the last few weeks.

Jack's birthday celebration was shared widely the week prior.

Rugby great and former All Black Bruce Robertson died in May, aged 71.

Dubbed "the prince of centres", Robertson is considered one of the best centres in All Blacks history.

Throughout his career he played 34 Tests and over a hundred games total for the national team between 1972 and 1981.

Kiwi radio legend Murray 'Muzza' Inglis, known for his colourful on-air personality, died after battling myeloma. He was 80.

Born in New Plymouth, Inglis had been in the radio industry since the early 1960s.

His most famous on-air antic was when he locked himself in the Radio Avon studio broadcasting live for two days, protesting changes to his contract. It later came out that this was a publicity stunt to get an edge over the relaunch of a competitor.

Trailblazing activist Georgina Beyer died aged 65 in March.

She was the world's first openly transgender MP.

Beyer served as a Labour MP between 1999 and 2007 and was also the former mayor of Carterton.

All Whites great Grant Turner died after a long struggle with cancer in February. He was 64.

The former midfielder's deeds on the pitch for New Zealand during the team's build-up to the 1982 World Cup in Spain have become legend.

One of his most memorable goals was during the All Whites' first victory over Australia across the ditch - a header in a 2-0 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1981.

Northland kuia and long-time activist Titewhai Harawira died aged 90 in January.

She had become synonymous with Waitangi Day commemorations, often accompanying Prime Ministers onto Te Whare Rūnanga.

In recent years, she would gently hold Jacinda Ardern’s hand during the parliamentary pōwhiri and on the mahau of the marae.

The man known as the king of New Zealand's thoroughbred industry, Sir Patrick Hogan, died aged 83 in January.

Sir Patrick put New Zealand horses on the map with his Cambridge Stud.

In the 1970s he took a punt on a stallion named Sir Tristram - it was a punt that paid off, siring 45 group one winners, including three Melbourne Cup champions.

Tireless welfare advocate and Northland community hero Ricky Houghton died of cancer aged 62 in July.

Houghton worked hard to improve the lives of those who needed it most, with his housing advocacy mahi winning him New Zealand’s Community hero award in 2018.

One of the main cast members of the '90s sitcom Friends, died in October. He was aged 54, and starred in other shows including Beverly Hills, 90210, The West Wing, Scrubs and The Odd Couple.

Irish singer Sinead O'Connor died aged 56 in July. She became a superstar in her mid-20s but was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music.

The eminent and timeless stylist Tony Bennett died aged 96 in July. He was known for his devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such I Left My Heart In San Francisco. He had admirers ranging from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

Theodore 'Ted' Kaczynski, the Harvard-educated mathematician who retreated to a dingy shack in the Montana wilderness and ran a 17-year bombing campaign that killed three people and injured 23 others, died in June. He was 81.

The unstoppable singer known as the Queen of Rock'nRoll died at 83 in May. She teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows in the 1960s and ‘70s and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age with the chart-topping What's Love Got to Do With It

Australia MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo died aged 46. The chef first joined the show in 2019, for the 2020 season. His death came on the same day as Australia MasterChef was due to return for its 2023 season.

Australian comedian Barry Humphries died at age 89 in April. The popular entertainer and author had suffered medical complications after recent surgery following a broken hip.

Actress Raquel Welch's died after a brief illness this year. The Hollywood star rose to fame in the '60s, when she appeared in the sci-fi movie Fantastic Voyage and the fantasy film One Million Years B.C.

Jeff Beck, regarded as one of the greatest guitar players of all time, died aged 78 in January. Beck rose to prominence through English rock band the Yardbirds, which also started the careers of guitarists Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton.

The singer, songwriter and heir of Elvis Presley died this year from complications from bariatric surgery she had several years ago at age 54, authorities said. Many notable figures paid tribute on social media after hearing the news.

Shane MacGowan, the boozy, rabble-rousing singer and chief songwriter of The Pogues, who infused traditional Irish music with the energy and spirit of punk, died in the later half of this year. He was 65.

The Emmy-winning actor best known for his roles on the series Homicide: Life on The Street and Brooklyn 99, died aged 61.