New Zealand comedy has lost one of its biggest personalities in Dai Henwood, who entertained Kiwi audiences for more than 25 years and is being remembered by friends and fellow comics as a man whose kindness matched his gift for making people laugh.
Henwood died this morning aged 48 after living with colon cancer for six years.
Comedian and best friend Justine Smith said she was "absolutely devastated" by Henwood's death.
"We were like brother & sister for more than 20 years, and the thought of not being able to reach out to him is unimaginable. My trusted confidant and constant supporter will be hugely missed by me and the whole of Aotearoa."
Fellow 7 Days regular and ZM host Hayley Sproull shared a series of photos of Henwood on Facebook, writing simply: "Thank you, Dai."
The 7 Days Facebook page posted it remembered "with the heaviest of hearts" a "much-loved friend and colleague".
"For more than 20 years, Dai has been a treasured part of our 7 Days and Three whānau. So much more than a familiar face on our screens, he was a wonderful friend to so many, bringing laughter, kindness and warmth wherever he went.
"Dai will forever be part of the fabric of Three, and it’s hard to imagine our whānau without him. He touched the lives of so many, both on and off screen, and leaves behind treasured memories and an extraordinary legacy in New Zealand entertainment.
"Our hearts and deepest love are with Dai’s whānau, friends and everyone who knew and loved him."
Comedian Melanie Bracewell said she was "heartbroken", calling Henwood "the kindest, funniest and most generous performer I’ve ever met".
"Will miss you a lot, Dai," she wrote.Comedian and actor Rhys Darby said he was devastated and that Henwood was "the best of us".
"Not only an amazing performer but an amazing mate. The best mate anyone could ask for. He made life magical," Darby wrote.
"When life tried to take him out he fought on with a courage and determination that none of us knew was possible. New Zealand has lost a titan today."
Comedian Ray O'Leary remembered him as "a kind, supportive man and a loving father" who made sure he could get a word in on his first 7 Days appearance.
"I sat next to him at my first 7 Days and he was so welcoming," O'Leary wrote, adding Henwood would show him photos of what he and his kids had been up to. On Taskmaster NZ, two of the jackets Henwood wore were covered in his children's drawings.
Comedians Tony Lyall and James Roque also paid tribute, with Lyall calling him "the greatest, kindest and funniest to ever do it", while Roque said the news was "awful".
"I'll miss him so much. What an absolute legend," he wrote.
Raybon Kan said it was a "shockingly sad loss".
"Sending love to those near and dear. Dai's loss will be felt hard, by so many far and wide."
The NZ International Comedy Festival said Henwood was "one of our own", recalling him hosting its Best Foods Comedy Gala earlier this year.
"To have him back on our stage, doing what he loved, was incredibly special. Those moments feel even more precious now, and we will hold them close," the festival said.
"Moe mai rā e te rangatira."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Henwood showed everyone "just how precious life is and how each of us should live it to the fullest every day" through his journey with cancer.
"He lit up faces and entertained us all, and he leaves a legacy of laughter and courage."
Henwood was a founding member of 7 Days and filmed more than 150 episodes of the panel show. He also hosted Dancing with the Stars NZ, Family Feud, and LEGO Masters NZ, won the Billy T Award in 2002 and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit last year for services to entertainment and charity fundraising.
He went public with his diagnosis in 2023, sharing his treatment in the 2024 book The Life of Dai, written with comedian Jaquie Brown, and the documentary series Live and Let Dai.
"Cancer doesn't define me. How I respond to it defines me," he said in March 2023.
He is survived by his wife Jo, his children Charlie and Lucy, and his mother Dame Carolyn Henwood.
SHARE ME