Heather SHIELS Obituary

So so sad to hear the news of Heather's passing. Amazing memories of us travelling through Africa and sharing our lives together. Sincere condolences to her family. Regards, John Arnold

Heather and I were colleagues at North Shore Times so many years ago. She radiated a warm energy, her smile would light up the newsroom. So very sad to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences to her family.

In my 38 Years at the BBC, Heather was one of the nicest people I had the pleasure to meet. She was a very dignified and graceful person and an extremely capable and dedicated journalist. One always felt at ease in her great company. As has been the experience with all of the New Zealanders we have employed over many years at BBC World News, Heather was a ´real´ person. I count myself very fortunate to have known her. My deepest sympathies go out to all her family and friends and to all our shared ex colleagues from New Zealand who knew and loved her.

I knew Heather from the times we both worked for TVNZ in Wellington. I´m deeply saddened to hear of her death. Heather was a gorgeous, charming woman whose company I much enjoyed. We lost touch when she head off as a young journalist to greater things in Britain. All the more shocking that today I read of her passing. So young, so unfair. May I pass on my condolences to Heather´s family and friends. I share the hurt of her loss.

This is so very sad. I worked with Heather at AUT. She was generous and unfailingly kind, as well as feisty and staunch. She had strong morals and stood by them. She also had a spiritual side and depth to her. A shining light, who shines on still. Arohanui Heather.

I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Heather´s passing. I was her Editor on HARDtalk at the BBC in London. Heather was a hugely successful, talented and fiercely hard-working journalist. But she was so much more than that. Heather was loved by the team for her great sense of fun, for her laughter and endlessly kind and gracious good nature. From the moment she joined us we knew that we had a star with us. We tried to persuade her to stay of course, but she wanted to go back home. She was very much missed and we often talked about her with enormous affection. I am very lucky to have known her. I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to her friends and family and hope you can take comfort in knowing how loved and respected Heather was by all who knew her.

I worked with Heather at TVNZ on Close Up and I reckon she lived the "keep calm and carry on" mantra long before it became popular. She was hard working and a voice of reason and an asset to journalism. We used to have good chats as I sometimes dropped her home as we both lived on North Shore. So sorry to hear she has gone and so young.

Attached is a photo of members of the Aoraki Polytechnic journalism class of 1996. Heather was a fantastic classmate - intelligent, dedicated and tenacious, and always kind, helpful and keen for a laugh! It was clear from early on that she would go on to be a successful journalist, and I think we were all cheering on from the sidelines when she `hit the big time´ as a TV news reporter. I´m sure all the class of ´96 would be proud of what she achieved in her journalism career and, later, in communications. It is incredibly sad to hear of her passing, and my thoughts are with her family and friends.

I worked with Heather at TVNZ but only really got to know her properly in London a few years later where I found Heather to be one of the warmest, kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. Heather was an incredible journalist and writer and I really looked up to her in so many ways, not just from a career point of view, but as a strong, loving woman. To her family and friends I am deeply sorry for the loss of your lovely Heather and hope you find some comfort in the love and respect we all have for her. Katie x

A gorgeous, kind and talented journalist. I have fond memories of Heather's dulcet tones ringing out across the newsroom at BBC World News TV in London. I send condolences to her family and friends. They only made one of her -- such a tragic loss. Aine xxx

I worked with Heather for some years in London. She was easily one of the kindest most gracious people I have ever known. Full of warmth and with an eternally sunny disposition.
We all had many fun moments on the programme - many were hair raising but she always approached each challenge with optimism.
Her passing is so sad.
My thoughts are with her family and friends.

Dear Margaret & Tom,
Our very deepest sympathy to you all. No words seem to come to me as I feel your loss but hold in your hearts that there is eternal rest and peace for Heather and no more suffering & pain. Love & Blessings to you all from us. Valerie & Colin

My thoughts are with you all during this sad, sad time.
Estelle

I am so sorry to hear this terribly sad news about Heather. In my early years as presenter of the BBC interview show `Hardtalk´ Heather was one of the greatest assets we had. She was a very talented journalist, calm, rigorous in her research, and with an ever-present warmth and sense of fun. News and current affairs can be a tough old business but Heather was never jaded or cynical. She was an absolute ray of sunshine, and we all loved working with her. When she left she told me of travel plans, of her excitement to return to New Zealand and her determination to follow her dream and become a writer. I feel very lucky to have known her and I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to all of her friends and family