Patrick
Sebile
9/04/2026
I only met Steve and Henri once, during my second trip to New Zealand.
Yet we quickly developed a deep and sincere friendship—so much so that they invited me to stay in their home for a few days.
I feel incredibly lucky to have met Steve. Fishing has been a lifelong passion of mine, one that has taken me all over the world—quite literally.
And in meeting Steve, I found someone who shared that same deep, to-the-bones passion. A true peer. But more than that, he was a kind and soulful person. Despite the fact that we hadn’t seen each other in years, I always kept him in mind, certain that we would fish together again the next time I returned to New Zealand—my second favorite place on Earth after home.
Then COVID came and disrupted so many lives, including my own, and I didn’t make it back to New Zealand for several years.
Life being what it is, I also lost touch with Steve and Henri over time. Recently, a friend of mine from Tahiti was traveling in New Zealand, and I told him that if he went to Wellington, he should stop by Steve’s shop. That’s when I went online, thinking I’d send Steve and Henri a message—and that’s how I learned that Steve had passed away.
It hurts.
It hurts because I won’t get to fish with him again. But it also hurts deeply to think of Henri. They were such a wonderful, loving couple—the warmth and peace in their home said so much without words.
I love you both.
Steve, my brother in fishing, I hope you are casting lines in the deep seas of the sky. We’ll meet there someday.
Hold on to that big fish.
So long—and fish in peace.
Patrick
Tomo
Filthy Hippy
25/04/2025
I met Steve when I was a member of the Wellington junior fishing club in the early 90's.
Steve really had a way with the young ones and set me up with knowledge that led me to become the angler I am today.
If it wasn't for Steve's input in my life I may have very well ended up on the wrong side of the tracks as alot of the people I grew up with have.
Steve's open loving nature and enthusiasm has always been inspiring and the knowledge he shared with Me up until his final days at Capital fishing has helped me live a happier healthier life and regularly provide fresh fish for my family and friends.
Bless you Steve
Condolences to your family, You will be missed and never forgotten.
Tomo
Filthy Hippy
25/04/2025
I met Steve when I was a member of the Wellington junior fishing club in the early 90's.
Steve really had a way with the young ones and set me up with knowledge that led me to become the angler I am today.
If it wasn't for Steve's input in my life I may have very well ended up on the wrong side of the tracks as alot of the people I grew up with have.
Steve's open loving nature and enthusiasm has always been inspiring and the knowledge he shared with Me up until his final days at Capital fishing has helped me live a happier healthier life and regularly provide fresh fish for my family and friends.
Bless you Steve
Condolences to your family, You will be missed and never forgotten.
Gordon
saunders
18/04/2025
Hi Henri, thinking of you.. I'll miss Steve and his help and friendship, in warm shops, rocky boats and cold beaches.
Laura
Verkerk
18/04/2025
When I arrived in NZ and met Steve, it took me a while to understand him. Henry had to translate a bit :) But even without words he made sure I felt welcome and safe.
He was a loving and funny person. Always good for the people around him. Taking care of Henry and his shop! Rest in peace dear Steve.
Christine
Bee
17/04/2025
I was sorry to hear of Steve's passing. We lived next door to you at Worser Bay for many years and during that time shared many a yarn with Steve.
My thoughts are with you Henri at this time.
Christine
Bee
17/04/2025
I was sorry to hear of Steve's passing. We lived next door to you at Worser Bay for many years and during that time shared many a yarn with Steve.
My thoughts are with you Henri at this time.
Jim
Scully
17/04/2025
Big thanks to Steve and aroha for his family. I've been visiting Steve at the shop for decades when I think of it. Buying gear, getting great advice and basically having chats with a great person. He leaves a big hole in the community and I'm sure in a number of hearts. Take care, sorry I missed the memorial service.
Jim
Scully
17/04/2025
Big thanks to Steve and aroha for his family. I've been visiting Steve at the shop for decades when I think of it. Buying gear, getting great advice and basically having chats with a great person. He leaves a big hole in the community and I'm sure in a number of hearts. Take care, sorry I missed the memorial service.
Mike
Brown
16/04/2025
First met Steve before he first started working the upstairs Sports Cave that he subsequently purchased. Remember helping one Friday night to shift him to a downstairs shop. Have served with Steve on WSAC committees many, many times over the years and the number of chats we have had in the shop, on committee or at weigh-ins would run into the hundreds. You will be sorely missed by the Wellington fisho fraternity my friend and I will personally miss your smiley face, your advice and your friendship for a long, long time. Rest well but catch lots up there
Matt
HINCE
16/04/2025
A true oracle of fishing and very generous with his knowledge..... taught me heaps over the many years.
RIP Steve you legend.
Matt
HINCE
16/04/2025
A true oracle of fishing and very generous with his knowledge..... taught me heaps over the many years.
RIP Steve you legend.
Matt
HINCE
16/04/2025
A true oracle of fishing and very generous with his knowledge..... taught me heaps over the many years.
RIP Steve you legend.
Craig
Boyes
16/04/2025
A good and generous friend. I loved fishing with you and serving on the WSAC committee together. Our world is a poorer place without you. Craig Boyes.
Brian
Manton
15/04/2025
I will always remember the great conversations we had together over many years. Your sense of humor and lasting advise over many topics will always stay with me. One of life's true good buggers.
Thinking of you Henri at this time.
Murray
Rush
15/04/2025
I meet Steve through the WASC club and at his business at the Sports cave in Cuba Street. Steve was always straight up with advice and always a friend and such a staunch clubbie and super competitive.
Steve has a huge amount of knowledge and Mana he will be sadly missed.
Condolences to Henri and the family,
Glenn
15/04/2025
Steve , your enthusiasm and passion was the reason I kept coming back ( oh and all the snags on my line) , you helped me out with sharing knowledge and great spots, was always so positive and keen to share a yarn in the store.
In fact you encouraged me to buy a new reel ( while covering for Felix)
A bloody legend and a damn fine bloke , such a beautiful soul gone to early. We are all poorer without your humour and good fishing stories.
Cast that reel far buddy ❤️🎣❤️
Marty
Johanson
15/04/2025
So sorry to hear the news of Steve’s passing Henri.Always a big welcome when I came to visit your wee shop in Wtgn and I could see how respected he was with all the customers that came in the get products or advice. Our thoughts are with you all. Marty and team at CD
Sue
Lee
15/04/2025
Dearest Henri, this is such sad news. What a good bloke he was! May he rest in peace. I hope there is fishing in heaven. I'll always remember the crays and fish he gave us at The Met Shop, we were very lucky neighbours to be near you and Steve both.
Gary
Wagener
15/04/2025
We go back a long way Steve. Upstairs in Cuba St at the Sports Cave! Late 70’s.
Words cannot capture Steve and his mana - suffice to say the fishing world has lost a legend.
Henri, my prayers are with you and family.
Go well my friends
Jason
Christensen
15/04/2025
Thanks Steve, for all the late night chats at Worser Bay. You were a man of integrity. I was saddened to hear of your passing. Rest in peace mate.
Phil
Josephs
15/04/2025
Steve you are a wounderful human. He always treated me and I am sure many others with the upmost respect. Gone too early my friend. My thoughts are with your family.
Jonathan
Solouota
15/04/2025
An absolute Legend & overall top bloke.. top fisho!
After so many years later, I finally slayed them Snaps last year with the rig we put together!
My condolences, Love to the family.
Antony
Milton
15/04/2025
Thanks so much for all the help and great advice over the years. I will miss our chats.
Scott
Campbell
15/04/2025
A true gentleman, a great teacher, a legend of fishing, will miss our chats and fishing sessions, RIP Steve, hope your up there with a rod in hand!
Arnold
Nel
15/04/2025
I met Steve in mid 2016 when I flew down from LA to do some work in NZ. That work ended up being for 8 years. Although I never fished with Steve I ended up spending way too many hours in the shop.
I bought all my gear from Steve and enjoyed his company helping me navigate NZ fishing.
Smooth fishing mate, you were a hell of a gentlemen
Grant
Blair
15/04/2025
Steve was a regular guest on the Livesport Fishing Show and he never missed a beat. Knowledgeable, interesting and always entertaining, it was always a delight to chat with such a talented fisherman who was happy to share his vast experience with the thousands of listeners on a Friday night. My condolences to Henri and family as I know he will be sorely missed. RIP Steve.
Paul
Nuttridge
15/04/2025
Steve you will be sadly missed by so many. I suspect that each time I pick up a rod supplied by you with copious advice I will think of you. Rest in peace.
Tracy
Burke
15/04/2025
Steve, I still can’t believe that you’re not going to walk around the corner and have a coffee, while giving your words of wisdom and suggestions for the next fishing comp.
Lovely memories of our Covid bubble, playing mini golf and the occasional fish and chips with freshly caught spotty shark over the road.
A true gentleman, kind, caring, with never a bad word to say about anybody.
The world would be a great place with more people like Steve!
RIP my friend. Where ever you are now, may you enjoy the fishing and the sausages.
Much love. Tracy xx 🎣❤️
Rhys
Murrihy
15/04/2025
Rest in peace old friend you will be missed I learned a lot of you thankyou for taking time to teach my rest easy your work here is now done
Neil
Palfreyman
15/04/2025
An Icon of our generations recreational fishermen we all know his name.
Kathleen
Reece
15/04/2025
A devoted husband and cherished friend, Steve's warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for Henri will always be remembered. His light lives on in the hearts of those he touched—forever loved, forever missed. Kathleen, Steve and Joshua.
Rachel
Wallace
15/04/2025
Dear Henri and family,
So so sorry for the loss of Steve. Taken far too soon. One of life's extra special humans. My thoughts and condolences are with you all while you mourn the loss of your darling husband, and friend to many, he will be truly missed. RIP Steve. much love to you all xxxx
Paul
Chaman
15/04/2025
Dear Henri and family
Such a shock to hear about Steve
A much loved human being
So kind and generous with a wonderful smile and handshake
We go back many years sometimes not seeing him alot
Just walk in there he was with a greeting
I am honored to have known the great Steve Reed
Thinking of everyone at a very sad time
Paul chapman
Waikanae
Dean
McNicholl
14/04/2025
Met Steve while he was working at the sports department at Newbolds in Cuba mall. Always a great guy to be around to talk fishing and go fishing with. Ran into Steve often at the Plimmerton boat ramp. Always great to have a yarn and also learnt alot from Steve. Really good guy! RIP Steve, mate!
Sharon
Anderson
13/04/2025
I meet Steve many years ago at the local. I'd often see him down there where we would have a drink and a tube of leaves. Always engage in a great conversation starting off with me asking how his wife was. It was always the same reply. She's fantastic. I always enjoyed going down to the local and if Steve was there is was a bonus. He was so caring, loving and never had a bad word to say about anybody. Always positive and made you feel good. My partner Craig and I had the upmost respect for him. He gave great advice and was an overall great caring block. I know that he loved life, loved his shop and he loved his wife. Thank you Steve darling for the memories. One of a kind and I will miss you dearly. RIP and love my friend.
Sharon Craig & the Girls
Xxxxx
Alan
Browne
13/04/2025
Dear Henri and family,
My name is Alan Browne and I worked with Steve at Newbold's in the late 70s and early 80s,he was a great bloke to work with and also to fish with. I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to you and the family.
Regards
Alan Browne
Zay
Ranson
13/04/2025
Rest in peace steven. Always remember going fishing down the beach in the bay. And getting on the bus to go fishing at the wharf in Wellington. Plus i remember a few time we didnt quite make it to school instead went fishing. Mate rest in peace you will never be forgotten mate.
Your mate zay
Brooke
Sherriff
13/04/2025
Uncle Steve,
What an absolute honour and privilege it was to have you as my uncle. Stepping off the plane from Australia I was always crushed in a big Uncle Steve hug. You made the best fires to keep me warm when your Aussie niece couldn't handle the Wellington cold. Your wicked sense of humour and cheekiness will never be forgotten. Your kindness, love for your family (especially crazy horse) and generosity made you someone I have always looked up to and admired. You made such an impact in so many lives, especially those of us lucky enough to have you as our family. As a child, you took me to catch my first fish and years later you took my children to catch their first fish. Your legacy will always live on in your great nephews love of fishing.
Love you Uncle Steve.
Always have, always will. ❤️
Helen (Perky)
McGuigan
13/04/2025
Heartfelt condolences to you, Henri, on the passing of your beloved Steve. May treasured memories & a life well lived sustain you. Rest in peace, Steve. Romantic xxx
Caitlin
Gordon
11/04/2025
Dear Henri and family,
My name is Caitlin Gordon. I joined Wellington Surfcasting and Angling club in 2022 as an amateur fisherwoman, I started coming In to Capital fishing where every time, I was greeted with the biggest smile From Steve (and Felix as well)
Whenever I had an issue, Steve was there to fix it. One time, even giving me his spare ultegra reel when I lost mine. There are endless words to describe Steve, but my top pick would be Compassionate. Steve would listen to me and share his own personal experiences with me so we could relate to some common fishing issues (I won’t mention the part about loosing our rods! Ha Ha)
Steve will always be known as a fishing legend, whose legacy will always be remembered through the ways he cared and went over and above for so many people, including me. A true down to earth person with a heart of gold.
Thank you for everything you have done for me Steve.
My sincerest and deepest condolences to Steve’s family during this time.
With love
The Gordon family
(Caitlin, Stephen, Jeanette and Angeline)