Veteran New Zealand sports journalist and broadcaster Phil Gifford has reportedly died in Auckland, bringing to a close a distinguished media career spanning more than 60 years.
Gifford, who is survived by his wife Jan and three children, entered journalism as a teenage cadet at The New Zealand Herald in 1965 and went on to become one of the country’s most recognisable sporting voices.
He gained widespread attention in the 1970s through his satirical rugby creation “Loosehead Len”, whose irreverent observations challenged the sport’s establishment and conventions.
Gifford subsequently wrote more than 25 books, many centred on rugby, while twice being named New Zealand sportswriter of the year and winning the sports columnist award three times. His career took him to major rugby internationals as well as Olympic and Commonwealth Games, before expanding into broadcasting and later general talkback radio. His contribution to the profession was formally recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours when he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and sports journalism.
Heartbreaking news. Phil was one of the best. https://t.co/qFthqbGrB4
— Chris Lynch (@chrislynchmedia) September 30, 2026
