William SMITH Obituary

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields

SLAINTE!

Humanitarian, intellectual, scholar, author, wit, thespian, raconteur, conversationalist, voyager, family man.

All of the above describe Bill Smith and of course much more. My experience of Bill was as a humanitarian working with the Auckland Refugee Council (now the Asylum Seekers Support Trust). He fought for justice for refugees and asylum seekers and those who were forgotten by the world. He was unyielding in his opposition of those who he believed were withholding justice or impeding the progress of justice. His kindly disposition could have made him a push over but he was certainly not that. His work combined compassion with pragmatism and a vigorous pursuit for truth and justice.

He was admired and loved by those he helped and his personal touch made the refugees feel that their case was special and important.

His ready wit and enjoyment of the comical side of life were a counter-balance to the seriousness of the work with which he was involved - and made him fun to be with! You were a real character Bill and you will be greatly missed.

There are amongst us, a few people who eschew fame, riches and a conventional life to work to achieve what is right, to support those who often do not get the recognition and realisation of their basic rights, and who are too often subject to ignorance, fear and bigotry. Bill was a longtime campaigner for others, making a huge difference to lives of countless refugees and the community supporting them. He could be irascible, but was always principled. He inspired us, challenged us, and along with it all often made us laugh. Thanks Bill for your contribution to humanity.

I am always greatful to Bill who successfully represented me in the court . A decent gentleman and genuinly helpful. Rest in peace.

Sasan M. Zadeh

Bill,
you were my friend and my mentor. You taught me everything I know about refugee rights. And you set the perfect example. You walked the walk, you talked the talk when it came to asylum seekers and refugees.

Refugees, and asylum seekers and Amnesty International have been forever enriched by your wit, your advocacy and your polite but resolute approach to decision makers.

I have so many fond memories of walking to meetings or jumping a taxi together and the people who you had helped save from persecution coming up and giving you a hug, a handshake and updates about their kids and how well they were doing.

Your lust for life and your irreverant sense of humour were beautiful energies to work with.

You've been a human rights warrior for as long as I've known you.

Mate, rest easy.

Arohanui