Greg, we are going to miss your banter, friendly smile and being a great Neighbour to us and our boys. Mickey said you taught him everything about planting. Sonny enjoyed selling tomato plants with you and listening to all your stories. We are going to miss you so much and our chats with you. Hope you’re comfortable and happy now. We love you xxx

Stewie will forever be one of my favourite teachers that I have ever had. He genuinely cared about each of his students. We would always chat about howCobras, are doing, and he would always ask me how my family is. I will never forget Stewie teaching me how to play different cricket shots, instead of swinging and praying every time. Rest in peace. -Burgey.

Dear Stewie. I enjoyed our banter whilst preparing for the day’s tasks. All staff admired the way you managed your charges. TAC would have been the worse for your early departure. You’d have been greatly missed by so many. A lovely bloke. RIP Greg

You were one of the best. I was privileged to be taught by you along with both my children Brooke & Campbell. Loved our banter especially Cobras Waihou rivalry. It was always in good fun. Rest in Love Stuie Kylee Elgar (Goodfellow)

Stewie, where do I even begin about the positive impact you have had on the Te Aroha College community? Your genuine passion for teaching and making a difference with our students was always at the forefront of everything you did. You also made sure all your colleagues felt included, and you’d go out of your way to help new staff feel part of the College. I feel privileged I was part of Arawa house with you during the ‘glory years’. I so hope we continue to build the ‘green machine’ back to its former glory, in your honour! The staff room was such a fun place, because of you. The various skits you wrote, directed and performed in will be one of my lasting memories of you…. You would have all your colleagues in absolute stitches! I will also always remember all our banter around the infamous staff tennis championship! Your sharp wit and authenticity will surpassed by no one. Thanks for all the memories, Stewie. You were a legend.

Mr Stewart, As a kid I rummaged through little Polaroid photos of you and uncle Graeme on epic surfing adventures and thought you must be an absolute legend. When I got to have you as my PE teacher in high school I found it was absolutely true. So many fond memories come from my time in your class. Such a great sense of humour mixed with an awesome ability to get people to listen and learn. I just told my kids last week how you taught me to windsurf and always remind them to use their levers when throwing a ball! You will always be fondly remembered by everyone who was lucky enough be in your classes. My sympathies and best wishes to Cam and Bri at this time. Shontelle, Tom and family.

Stewie was a legend! He cared a heck of a lot about his students and his colleagues, and was sure to give ya a good laugh. Our first interaction was my first day working at Te Aroha College. He told me that “students weren’t allowed in the staffroom” with a big grin on his face. I asked him if he needed help getting back to the old folk’s home. He said, “oh… we are going to have some fun”. And he was right!! Our friendship, or rivalry, took off after that. I will forever miss pranking you Stewie! You were one of the good ones, that’s for sure.

Sad to say goodbye! Greg was a superb teacher and a master of his subject, PE. His ability to maintain a professional relationship with his pupils, yet relate to them in a way which enthused, encouraged and brought the very best results from them, always impressed me. In and out of the staff-room Greg fostered some uniting and at times hilarious escapades. Lots of great memories! RIP Greg. Noel Smith

Stewie you are a bloody legend. The way you taught us at Te Aroha College to be the best we could be and to give it ago , have fun with sport , try our best and improve on yesterday left an everlasting impression on my life . The 4 years I spent in your class and the good times on holiday at your batch in Cooks will forever remain great memories. Thank you Stewie for teaching me to swim properly, wind surf , be a better rugby player, enjoy the sea, be respectful of others, give things ago, don’t be afraid of failure, learn from failure. Greg’s most used saying ( Bobby Dazler) . My thoughts are with Cam and Bree .

Stewy was a magician on the grass. Posseed that rare ability to get the best out of every player, making rhe difficult so easy and every second so much fun. Just an outstanding coach. His little sayings and cues were legendary. "Put the rocket in the socket" A dead ringer for Wally Lewis, Stewy was also a great man to have a beer or a wine with. Rest Easy Tiger.

Sorry to hear the sad news. I have lots of happy memories of PE class from Y9-12 and he was a great PE teacher. Ski camp was an obvious highlight. Loved his anatomy classes and he had a large influence in my choosing a career as a physio. Hope his kids and family find solace in reading how great of a teacher and character he was at TAC.

Utterly shocked to hear of Mr Stewart's passing. To the discerning rebellious adolescent male, Mr S was one of the few 'good ones' who seemed to inherently get your respect. He was not only a teacher, but a coach, a mentor, a part time father figure. He would never talk down to you from a position of authority, he would engage you as an individual and a man/women in your own right. His impact on the world is immeasurable, for he truly made a difference to many young men and women throughout the world. He will be missed but his legacy will continue.

Uncle Greg was a real character. He was so bloody funny. His facial expressions and laugh I’ll never forget. This pic is a happy memory for me taken at our Stewart family Christmas egg & spoon race.. Rest in peace Uncle Greg, you will be missed xxx

Stewie - a friend, colleague and good buggar. Such a passionate and knowledgeable teacher of PE. All those students that Stewie taught were very lucky and privileged to have had someone so caring who went that extra mile. Stewie was a great Head of Department. He looked after his teaching staff and was always very organised even to the point of having department meeting minutes all written up even before the meeting actually happened! A great Arawa man who would plot how Arawa could take out the sports days - I’m sure there was a bit of ‘skulduggery’ going on but he would never admit it! Ski camp and Year 12 camp were Stewie's happy places along with when he was carving it up on the waves. His quick wit and sense of humour was second to none, catching out many a colleague and student. Mention the words ‘role play’ and you wouldn’t see him for dust! It was an honour to teach with Stewie for so many years - he was a legend in his own lunchbox in so many ways and will be greatly missed. Rest easy Gregory Wirimu

You will be greatly missed Stewie. You were such an amazing teacher and always had a cheeky and witty comeback at the ready at all times. You were so kick back but everyone also knew not to mess with you 😂 You will be greatly missed by so many. RIP Stewie Yours truly Rangaz

So saddened to hear this news. Stewie really was one of the very best. I feel so fortunate to have had him as a form teacher and mentor right through college and have so many great memories. Rest in peace knowing you had an incredible influence on many of us Stewie.

Very sad to hear. Greg is a top bloke, learnt so much from him, pleasure to work alongside Greg and call him a friend. A lot of great laughs have been had. He will be missed. Fly high my friend. Dan and Kelly and Kids. (Blenheim)

Stewie was one of the best teachers I have ever had. Could always have great banter with him! He will be missed by so many .

Thank you Stewie. Your support and encouragement for my daughter when she was at college was appreciated beyond words. I had the pleasure of being a "collegue" and a parent for a while. You always had her best interests at heart and you were the reason that she received her first of two "Blues' medals at sports prizegiving. Your wit and patience always made conversations with you make me smile. I know that the students respected you hugely. Thank you for all you did for the students, the college and for sport. You were one in a million and many people will remember you with love and respect. My condolences go to your family at this very hard time. Rest easy Stewie. X

Very shocked and saddened to learn og Greg's passing. My thoughts to his wider family.

Greg was one of the best teachers. His ability to get all students to happily participate in PE was legendary. His dance classes had to be seen to be believed. Greg was a proper sportsman, could turn his hand to anything. We rarely lost a game against the Tear 13s if he played. Greg was a great colleague and friend. He was funny and kind. Really sorry he didn't get more of a retirement to ride the waves.

There will be a sense of loss from many of the students taught by Greg.. Either in the classroom / gym and sports field. Greg always did the best for his students to help them move towards a better future. That is his long enduring legacy that lives with hundreds of young people who are very much where they are today because of his influence. A role he took with a great sense of responsibility. RIP Stewie Steve and Michele Pipe

They take the best ones too soon. Big influence on me growing up. Id rock up next door and watch the footy or cricket while you dialled up the odd bet on the TAB. Coached, taught and helped shape many many young minds. Rest easy Stewie

Greg taught me PE in 2011-2012. Had a great passion for sport and Physical Education. Always looked out for his students and wanted them to achieve their certificates! A great loss! RIP Greg

We have lost one of the greats. Greg was one of the best teachers/coach I had the pleasure of working with. He was a great mentor to me and helped shape me into the teacher I am today. You will be missed Stewie