Paul Senior-Patridge, left, pictured with Waitomo mayor John Robertson
Late last year, King Country News rugby writer Paul Senior-Partridge – aka Norris Woodbine died. To mark the start of the club rugby season and to honour his memory, here is his obituary.
Born on January 9, 1953, in Marton, Paul was the son of Terrence Barclay Senior-Partridge, a police officer, and Jeanie Cordingly.
He spent his early years between Marton and Whanganui before the family settled in Piopio, although it wasn’t long until a 15-year-old Paul left home and discovered his true calling in nursing.
He trained at Lake Alice and Tokanui hospitals before registering as a psychiatric nurse. He dedicated more than 40 years to mental health care – a career defined by compassion, resilience and a genuine commitment to helping others.
It was at Tokanui Hospital where Paul met Linda Phillips (née Heke), a fellow nurse who would become his wife.
Together they built a life grounded in care, family and community, welcoming their daughter Whitney in 1989 and marrying in 1992.
Alongside their nursing careers, they ran a burger bar in Te Awamutu – an early glimpse of Paul’s entrepreneurial energy and his love for connecting with people.
That same energy saw Paul purchase the Waipā Leader newspaper, supported local netball and threw himself wholeheartedly into rugby – whether on the sidelines, behind the scenes, or later with the pen.
Paul was dealt a heavy blow in 1994 with the loss of Linda to cancer, but he carried on, moving to Auckland with Whitney and later welcoming two more children, Daymion and Janayah, with family at the heart of everything he did.
Eventually Paul and Whitney moved to Te Kūiti, where he immersed himself in community life – bringing Vodafone services to the town, running Radikal Print and Publishing, helping establish Huia Rugby Club, and serving on the Centennial Park School board.
He later found love again with his partner Anna Wirepa and together, they shared many ventures and adventures, from running Flaggies Bar and Grill in Hamilton to managing hotels in Whanganui and Piopio.
Paul’s working life even took him to Australia, where he spent six years running a mental health clinic in North Queensland – another chapter in a career built on care and service.
Even with his retirement in 2018, Paul never truly slowed down, pouring his time into the things he loved most – rugby, horse-racing and community.
He played a key role in restarting the Waitomo Rugby Football Club in 2021, a testament to his enduring passion for the game and the people in it.
In true fashion, Paul was still building something new right up until the end, establishing Grace Cremations just three months before his death. The service is continued by his daughter Whitney.
Paul, who had on-going heart issues, died on November 17 due to heart failure, bringing an end to a life marked by family, nursing and an unwavering connection to community.
He is survived by his partner Anna, children Whitney, Daymion and Janayah, and his six grandchildren.
