HADYN SIDNEY SMITH

It is with great sadness that we record the passing of Hadyn Smith on 19 April 2024.

Hadyn was CEO of Survey and Spatial NZ for 6 years from 2012 to 2018. Most recently, Hadyn was CEO of Crimestoppers NZ and the Honest Bunch Foundation charity.

Hadyn joined S+SNZ (then NZIS) on the cusp of implementing the hugely challenging new governance model developed in 2011-2012 titled ‘The Way Forward 2013’. The new organisational constitution and rules were successfully implemented under Hadyn’s watch.

Hadyn came to us from Land Search and Rescue New Zealand, bringing with him strong financial management, leadership and relationship building skills which he put to excellent use in building up the very successful commercial partnership programme. He was also instrumental in bringing together the NZ Spatial Excellence Awards (NZSEA) that have now been recognising and celebrating the very best of geospatial community for five years.

During his tenure, Hadyn showed a strong interest in not-for-profit community projects and was the Chair of the Alex Moore Park “Sportville” Development in Johnsonville, Wellington. This interest also came to the fore with launch of the Kairūri Community Trust - set up to help the next generation of surveying and spatial professionals where Hadyn was a key player in the Trust’s development and implementation. As an avid sports fan, particularly in rugby and softball, Hadyn has been deeply involved in developing New Zealand’s young softball talent.

Hadyn was a ‘larger than life’ character, who was interested in people and a very caring person. He will be sadly missed and our condolences go out to Hadyn’s family – his wife, Jan, daughters Rachel and Hannah and their husbands Dave and Ben and all Hadyn’s family.

A service for Hadyn will be held at Old St Paul's, Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, Wellington on Saturday 27 April 2024 at 10.00am.

Hadyn’s Dominion Post Obituary.