No one has come close to Holmes. I found myself watching Q & A less once he wasn’t on it.
But as others have noted, not only was he great at what he did, he seemed to be genuinely interested in people and fighting for the underdog.

The only good thing about his illness is that people close to him knew the end of his life was coming and would have had the chance to let him know about the impact he has made on their lives.

It was so warming to read of so many of his friends, many of them high profile New Zealanders, who universally praised Sir Paul for his generosity of spirit and his numerous acts of kindness. In many ways those aspects of his character rise higher than his inestimable skills as a broadcaster. Thank you for your professionalism, your classic kiwi cheekiness and for using your power and influence to touch ordinary people’s lives.

RIP

You were a pioneer for broadcasting in New Zealand, and inspired many, including myself.

More importantly, you were just a bloody good Kiwi bloke.

It never rains but it pours.

Your pain is over Mr Holmes – go well. Best wishes to your Family

I must admit to being utterly sentimental and very appreciative of the knighthood and hope it gave him solace.

But I’m listening to it now and it’s a perfect tribute, so thank you. He’s obviously having fun with it, and that sums up Paul’s approach to everything.

I first met him when we were both employed by Radio NZ. I’d be up the hallway on 2ZB or producing on National Radio and I’d walk round the corner past 2ZM and ther was this weird looking guy – the only white person I’d ever seen with an afro at that point – having such a damn good time on 2ZM that you could feel it radiating through two sheets of glass.

Radio was a serious business in those days – the early 80s – and to see someone who was just completely himself was amazing… I’d look through the glass at him like I was at the zoo and I’m sure he used to think I was the weird one till we eventually went to the kitchen for coffee at the same time and exchanged a few words (and quite possibly continued to think so afterwards)

I’ve heard it said we’re blessed if we get to do for a living what we love and are best at. Paul, in that case, was truly blessed.

http://grooveshark.com/s/Where+Do+You+Go+To+My+Lovely/3uf9Wc?src=5

Not only was he inspiring to generations of broadcasters who were his contemporaries, as I was, but John Key got it absolutely right when he said Paul was “a gentleman”, which I discovered personally and know to be true.

He leaves a legacy which we can only hope will inform future decisions on the direction of news and current affairs in NZ. People want real news, and you can present that with humanity and humour and connect with your audience and still retain your integrity.

It’s sad that his passing was prolonged, but if any good can be said to have come out of that it is that many people, myself included, got to state publicly what Paul had meant to them as a broadcaster and a friend. I hope he read them all, and died knowing he was loved by more than just his family.

PAUL – Well, Auckland – there’s an agglomeration effect, so the bigger Auckland becomes, there more attractive it becomes. It becomes more attractive economically, but it also becomes more attractive as a place to live.
Q+A
JESSICA MUTCH INTERVIEWS PAUL SPOONLEY
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1207/S00280/qa-jessica-mutch-interviews-paul-spoonley.htm
………
In another world.

Unlike DPF, I never met Sir Paul. But from his radio programme, I feel as though I have lost a mate. Arohanui Sir Paul.