Tributes pour in for Dr Alan Parsons

Alan moved to New Zealand from the UK in 1983 to continue his career as a paediatrician at Taranaki Base Hospital. It was Alan's experience as a paediatrican that sparked his interest in reducing unintentional injury to children and which led to the formation of the Child Accident Prevention Group, now known as Kidsafe Taranaki Trust. However, Alan's commitment to injury prevention and community safety went far beyond his work with Kidsafe Taranaki. Alan was part of the original IPNANZ (Injury Prevention Aotearoa New Zealand) committee and sat on the NZIPS (New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy) stakeholder reference group. Alan was also a Trustee with New Plymouth injury Safe Trust, supporting the coalition to gain accreditation as an International Safe Community in 2005. 

Alan was often visible at national meetings, conferences and events, as well as supporting local Kidsafe Taranaki and New Plymouth injury Safe projects and activities. Alan's injury prevention colleagues often wondered how he ever find the time to be Head of Paediatrics too! However, Alan had an incredible ability to utilize every hour in the day to best effect - he travelled widely, played the saxophone, raised Highland cattle and pursued a keen interest in astronomy...not to mention regular trips to Vietnam where he played a vital role in training health workers and promoting child health. 

Tributes to Alan have acknowledged his true leadership in the field of child health and injury prevention. He is remembered for his integrity, passion, enthusiasm and humour. Many have described Alan as a humble and respectful man who instantly put you at ease. Matiu Julian, NPiS Trustee and Business Manager for Tui Ora, sums this up with the following statement:

"A true mark of a Rangatira (translated as a leader who strength is weaving people together - Ranga...to weave, tira...people). He has laid a solid foundation for us all to follow".

Many tributes also recognised the real difference that Alan made in individual people's lives. Carolyn Coggan, Director of Safe Communities Foundation NZ, stated the following:

"Alan gave so much to children; to improving health in New Zealand and Vietnam; to injury prevention, community safety, NZIPS ... and all with a wonderful sense of humour! I have truly appreciated all of his outstanding and amazing contributions. There are some people in this world who think they make a difference and then there are those who truly make a difference in the lives of so many people. Alan made a BIG difference in a respectful way to many of us. Safe Communities will indeed miss this intelligent and caring man".

Hundreds of people attended Alan's funeral and celebration of his life, which was held on Friday 12th February at St Marys Cathedral.