Thomas Newnham Obituary

Although it is difficult to see beyond the sorrow of today, may looking back in memory help ease the loss you bear just know he is close to our thoughts and prayers

Dec 18, 2011
Sadly, I didn't learn about Tom's death until it was too late to attend the funeral; I was living abroad at the time.
I knew Tom when I was a child and young adult; he was a friend of my father's.
Once, he took care of me in July 1981 on the day we invaded the rugby field at Hamilton; I had been on the field, left it, and was wandering around the streets of Hamilton afterwards; somehow lost a shoe. Good old Tom found me, and took me somewhere safe.
In later years, I shared an interest in China with him.
Sometimes he and Kath came to dinner at my parents' place, where he was lively company. He was always interested in other people's lives although probably his own was more interesting.
I miss him.

Sunday , February 6. 2011

I met Tom in 1953 in Hong Kong , he had newly arrived from New Zealand to teach at Queen's College. At that time there was a housing shortage for government servants, and we decided to share a flat with him

Tom was a perfect housemate, he was even- tempered, kind and considerate. We had similar interests which made living together very comfortable.

Tom did not like or accept the status-quo of the Government and fought some of the archaic rules, for example; the dress code and the race segregation in school staff rooms. He associated openly with Chinese friends who were very pro "Liberated China". This, of course, was not the expected behaviour of a Colonial Civil Servant. He was courageous and committed to his beliefs which were often were contrary to Government policy . His involvement most certainly bears witness to his sense of Justice.

He joined us in organizing a Quaker International Student Work-camp and he helped in fighting the government for permission to bring in the first group of Japanese students after the war.

New Zealand could not have had a better Ambassador. Tom mentioned frequently its politics, its geographical wonders and encouraged visits. He greatly admired Rewi Alley and often spoke about this great New Zealander who was permitted to live in China after other foreigners were sent out. He very much would have liked to visit him at that time, but Government regulation did not allow this.

He talked often about his parents , he was very protective and supportive of them ,he would remind me at times that "charity begins at home". During a visit to Toronto ,Tom mentioned how grateful he was for the support from Kathy and his children for his work and how proud he was of their achievements

It is with joy that I reflect on my friendship with Tom and I know he will be greatly missed.

Erika Whitney

In the 1950s, my ex-wife and I shared an apartment with Tom in Hong Kong. At the time we were both teachers in Queen's College - a government secondary school in the Colony. Incidentally, Sun Yat-sen, the founder of modern China had also been a student at the school in the late 19th century, though the authorities kept very quiet about this! Tom and I studied Cantonese with the same teacher and he must have been good though his rote-learning methods were antiquated since we passed the government exams with flying colours.

Tom and I were both admirers of the New China and we often broke government rules by attending "Red Chinese" cultural events when they were brought to Hong Kong. We were told by the Director of Education that we "were letting the side down" because of our attendance.

Tom was always a great booster of New Zealand - the Pocket Wonder of the World" as he kept reminding us.

It is with great sorrow that we say farewell to Tom and the many happy memories we shared with him 60 years ago!

Joe Whitney ([email protected])

Very late I have got today the information. I meet Tom in 1994 in Auckland in his home in Dominion Rd. and we have spoken long time about Dr. Norman Bethune and Kathleen Hall. After them we wrote together by E-Mail. I recontacted him with Ma Baoru in Baoding (China) and the exchange of students between New Zealand and China have got a small revolution. My medical historic interests in Dr. Norman Bethune has given me connections around the world and Tom in NZ was the farest...

Thank you Tom for all

Tom Newnham was the ideal of a good teacher. He helped all those he taught, both at schools, at Teachers College, and in the community, learn to think beyond the superficial and to actively question how society could be a better place. His ideals are being carried forward with all whom he touched