RIP Tony Randle

Michael Laws posted:

It is with great sadness that I note the overnight passing of my good friend Tony Randle. His death is a shock, unexpected, from a heart condition. I first met Tony at Otago Uni, and he always impressed me as one of nature’s true gentlemen. An inner integrity that burned bright with a compassion for all. Loved Central Otago, served Wellington superbly. Thoughts and prayers for his family at this very difficult hour. Go well, my friend.

I was stunned to read this (I note there is no official announcement yet). Tony was only a couple of years older than me.

I first met Tony 40 years ago in Otago University Young Nationals. He was a couple of years ahead of me (as was Michael). Even back then Tony was a super brain – he wrote detailed 12 page policy papers of the merits of privatisation, when most people were doing one sentence remits.

I reconnected with him decades later in Wellington. He would spends days and weeks going through NZTA business cases and finding out their errors, and doing guest posts on Kiwiblog for me detailing them. He was a huge proponent of better buses for Wellington, and was frustrated that officials would often skew business case in favour of rail over bus.

I was delighted when he stood for Council, and got elected. He was both a great local representative for the Northern Suburbs, and a very principled Councillor. He again often scrutinised business cases and found massive error by officials that could have led to even more wasteful spending if he hadn’t been on the case.

Tony was a lovely guy. He lost his wife to illness some years ago, and was a solo father. I always enjoyed catching up with him, and would happily have his hoardings on my property.

He will be a real loss to Wellington City Council, but even more to his family and friends, of whom I was proud to include myself.