RIP Roger Kirk

Belinda McCammon at Stuff reports:

The husband of former National Party President Judy Kirk has been killed in a hunting accident on his Taupo farm this morning. …

Prime Minister John Key said he was “shocked and saddened” by Mr Kirk’s death.

“I have known Roger as long as I have known Judy, and counted him as a friend.

“Along with Judy, he was a good friend of the National Party. 

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to Roger’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

Roger Kirk’s step-daughter, Anna Kirk, is a councillor on the Taupo Council.

Taupo mayor, Rick Cooper, told Stuff he had spoken with Anna about her step-father’s death this afternoon.

”My heart goes out to Anna and Judy, she lost her dad last week as well so this is a double-whammy.

Words can’t express the depth and breadth of the sorrow of this tragic news. Roger was one of life’s wonderful people, and his death is a loss to everyone who knew him, but an absolute tragedy to his family.

There were lots of Nats at Parliament tonight, for Jami-Lee’s maiden speech, and everyone was stunned by Roger’s death.

My thoughts and love go out to Anna and Judy. We mourn their loss.