I met Matt at Petone Tech (HVMTC) in 1980, playing 500 (card game) in the common room and doing other high school things. But I really got to know him after high school, when we both became members of the Hutt Valley Motorsport Club (HVMC). Matt had his Austin Mini and I had my Ford Escort. Matt and I participated in, and also helped create "Trials", basically touring routes throughout Petone and Alicetown (near the HVMC clubrooms) in which people competed to stay on the proper course. There were rules about how to drive (e.g., stay as straight as possible) and you had to follow both the rules and the course description (e.g., turn left on Jackson street). If you got the instructions and rules correct, you would stop at checkpoints, but if you messed up, you missed a checkpoint. Matt and I would sometimes run a checkpoint, or we would compete if we hadn't created the trial route. The trials all ended at the clubrooms on clubnight, so a beer or a Pepsi would be the finish to the evening. We had many fun years doing this together before I left for overseas. Matt of course transitioned from Minis to Daihatsus, also a small car, and he maintained his love for cars throughout his life. I caught up with him a couple of times last year and he was still excited about his cars, while helping fix up Tina's house in Wainui. He was such a caring, mellow, happy, wonderful person. I will miss him.

Matt will be missed. He was a wonderful loyal friend and although I have lived in Australia since 1981 he managed to stay in touch and when in NZ we were able to pick the conversation back up like we had only seen each other the week before.. I Farewell Mini Matt! There is no one quite like you!

Rest in Peace Matt xxxx