Farewell to Jan Heine, John Nankervis and Hugh Barr

We are mourning the passing, during the past month, of several figures who have given hugely to FMC and to the wider outdoor community.

Jan Heine, keen tramper and botanist, pioneering environmentalist and influential wilderness advocate, passed away aged 81 on 28 December 2021. Jan was married to Arnold Heine, past FMC patron and editor of the FMC Bulletin. Jan’s contribution to the latter was substantial, as she did the layout and design, proofing and editing.

You can read an obituary to Jan Heine on Stuff.

John Nankervis, renowned mountaineer and past president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, died in January 2022 after suffering a stroke. His climbing CV included over 50 New Zealand first ascents, mainly in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland/Tai Poutini national parks, as well as numerous expeditions overseas. He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to mountaineering. A lawyer by profession, John provided pro bono legal advice to FMC, for which we are immensely grateful.

Hugh Barr, a tramper and mountaineer, was involved in a wide range of environmental and outdoor projects, including the Te Araroa Trail. He passed away in December aged 80. Hugh was FMC President from 1993 to 1995 and a member of the FMC Executive from 1976 to 1978, and again in 1991-1992.

Both John Nankervis and Hugh Barr were Tararua Tramping Club life members. You can read their obituaries on Stuff here. We also acknowledge the passing of TTC long-time member Ian Baine.

Photo at top: from left to right, Jan Heine (Stuff), John Nankervis (Colin Monteith/Stuff) and Hugh Barr (Stuff).