

Riki lived with an open heart and a broad smile, turning moments into memories and friends into family. Wherever he went, laughter, warmth, and generosity followed. Though his journey was brief, his spirit lingers — in the love jhe shared, the stories retold, and the light he left behind.
Obituary
Kia Orana dear family and friends,
With deep sadness, we share the passing of our beloved son, devoted father, cherished brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and loyal friend, Roriki Dwayne Earle (Riki) Hutchinson.
Dearly loved son of Mereana and the late Brian Hutchinson, Riki passed away peacefully at his home in London on 12 October 2025 after a short illness with pneumonia.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, 24 November 2025,
at West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium,
Norwood Road, West Norwood,
London SE27 9JU,
from 2:45 pm to 3:30 pm.
The service was livestreamed and the LINK will be available for 28 days from the service.
Following the service, we held a
Celebration of Life
at The Gipsy Hill Taproom,
Unit 5, 160 Hamilton Road,
London SE27 9SF,
from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
This was a time to share stories, laughter, and memories, and to raise a glass in Riki’s honour.
The colour theme reflected his spirit — Island shirts, kilts, tartan, or simply come as you feel most yourself.
After the London gatherings, Riki’s ashes will be returned home to Rarotonga in July 2026 to rest with his father.
Many have asked about offering Koha or donations in support of Riki’s son, Oscar. A link will be added soon to the online tribute page to assist with his future education and wellbeing.
Poem
The Purpose
Words by Roriki Hutchinson
My purpose To be Earth’s gardener
Under the encompassing sky.
To nurture those coming up as seedlings:
water, air, earth.
I am the start of life
nurture, love, share.
A beacon.
An example.
You are here
I am here to guide you
To another realm.
We have lived a long time,
beacons of love’s energy.
The shift is near, do not worry.
I will give you armour,
So you may stand.
We are to form one another.
There is much to share,
Much to give.
Let love shine through your heart.
Our journey is easy,
Lit by bright stones,
Touching stars.
See the constellations mirrored on the surface,
above and below the oceans.
I shall shine as a beacon.
I am bound to this beauty.
All paths lead home.
Timeline
Gallery
Condolence messages
The first person to make friends with our boy at Reay (the local primary school here in Brixton) was Oscar - and through him of course we met Riki and Katrina.
At first, I really couldn't make Riki out, or even where was he from. I guess I had never met a Māori, it was bit like he was from outer space. For Riki had a special very non-London way to say exactly what he felt so you would neither feel put upon, or on put guard. Not often the case here in this big old city.
He was also just Riki. Larger than life - yes it is a cliché - but now I look back at all the chats and musings we had about the injustices and absurdities of the world, I think it might be because he actually believed in Life.
A true activist, a mobiliser and organiser, he was always for the Global as much as he was for the Local (Glocal?). He supported everything from the community gardens and olive trees in Van Gogh Walk, to the little vegetable beds in the Hackford Road estate next to Reay. He was always clear about the need for community, to knit together, to co-exist. He believed in Progress, he was not a cynic. He thought the world could be a better place.
He always helped, one summer when we went away he came by every day and hung out in our garden and watered our tomato plants.
We all drift, and sadly we drifted away from Riki after the kids went on to different Secondary Schools. And the once I saw him from the top of #3 bus he was walking down the Brixton Road with Oscar, and I thought - I'll call him, we'll see him again soon.
But we won't.
I will remember Riki for all the hopes and dreams he had. And he had many. And they were kind dreams and they were ambitious dreams. And yet even now I still don't fully believe he is not with us. We're all so busy scraping away to make ends meet up here in the cold north, but I will always think of Riki down south in those lovely photos in Roratonga, when he and Oscar went there.
Nobody else ever called me Bob, and Bob I will always be.
xxx
Sian and Chris xx
I miss you painfully, old bean. It gives me joy to think of you having a dance with your ancestors though, and I hope the wine wherever you are is good.
With much love and sorrow and joy,
Joe




Still can’t believe you’re gone, my little cuz Riki Hutchinson — youngest son of Mereana Hutchinson and Brian, brother to Sean Hutchinson, Tania and Tarita John, proud dad to Oscar Hutchinson, co-parent with Katrina Hutchinson, uncle, cousin, mate — loved by everyone who was lucky enough to know you.
You were the one with the big grin, the cheeky comeback, super clever, big hugs, a big heart, and always an open door for any of us landing in London.
Growing up, we spent most weekends and school holidays together either at our grandmother’s, the park, or at the beach. One of the stories we always laughed about was the time I decided to double you in the tray of my white and purple tricycle — we peddled to the top of Sussex then charged down the hill, misjudged the driveway turn, hit the gutter, and both went flying! Grazed, dazed, and definitely in trouble (me) — but thankfully no broken bones!!
I was lucky enough to spend five months living with you, Katrina and baby Oscar during the London 2012 Olympics. What was meant to be a few weeks crashing in The Drinks Lover office/wine cellar turned into an amazing few months reconnecting — seeing my cousin as a man, a husband, a father, business owner, a proud Kiwi and an even prouder Cook Islander.
On my last trip to the UK in 2023, first stop was London — vogels, pineapple lumps and Whittaker's chocolate in hand. We spent a couple of days together with lots of hugs, laughs, walking and footy at the park with Oscar. As always, it was sad to say goodbye… but even sadder now knowing that was our last hug.
You left us way too soon, cuz. Our hearts are broken — you had so much more life to live with your little fish and laughs to give. But know we will wrap our love around Oscar, mum, Seanie, Tania, Tarita, Katrina and all the ānau.
Rest in love, Dwayne.
Keep the laughs going up there — give them all a big hug for us 😭 xx
He was the most amazing father, partner, colleague, co-parent, friend, uncle, brother, son I will probably ever know.
Riki had an open heart and had a lot of love to share and always made time to connect with people. He was a positive force, smart, funny and intelligent and he will be sorely missed.
We will keep his memory with us always.
xx
He was my younger brother but everyone thinks he’s my older, smarter, loving brother who would give everyone a meaningful hug, kind words and a spark. He had an incredible infectious warmth and positive smile.
We are fifty-somethings, me closer to the later end. We are proudly wine guys. It gave us the opportunity to talk to people about many things — wine, food, places and good times.
Riki would often work with me on projects from way back in university days until the end, all of them special and numerous. Great people and stories.
I am going to miss my little bro a lot, but I know he is with me.
RIL Riki 🍾🍷🌴🎉

This is a little hard to write… it’s so hard to find the right words. My heart is breaking knowing you’ve passed. I will forever treasure the memories we shared the days at NZ Liquor Robbie Burns when you visited Parnell, Auckland, then our days at Montana Wines. Those moments, full of laughter and camaraderie, will stay with me always.
It has truly been an honour to call you a friend one I’ll never forget. You touched so many lives, and your kindness, humour, and spirit will be remembered by all who knew you. By the way I did start my own business what I always told you I would do.
I send you lots of love and your family too. You will be deeply missed, but today and always, I raise a glass in your honour. Fly high, Riki Hutchinson. Rest in peace x
Shared background of being an adopted Yorkshireman and the old joys of Tetley Imperial in a pint glass.
Introduced me to the Tetley Brook vineyard in Marlborough .... through which flowed the 'sweetest water' (Babich Sauvignon Blanc).
His smile was always the best greeting you could get. You will be sorely missed as one of the 'good uns' !!!
Meeting Mereana & Brian during a visit to the East End.
We were so shocked to read of Riki's passing. NZ is such a long way away.
Oscar & Katrina & the Hutchinson family you are in our thoughts and we send our love to you all.
A lovely man taken too soon. ❤️
Rest high, bro 😔 Riki.
Memories of Riki
Service
at West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium.
The chapel has limited capacity, so we gently ask those receiving this message to consider whether they wish to attend the service in person, to help us ensure space for family and close friends.
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience:
Sean Hutchinson – sean@seanhutchinson.nz
Katrina Hutchinson – katrinahutchinson@hotmail.co.uk
For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed and the LINK will be available for 28 days below.
Following the service, all are warmly invited to gather for a
Celebration of Life at The Gipsy Hill Taproom,
Unit 5, 160 Hamilton Road,
This will be a time to share stories, laughter, and memories, and to raise a glass in Riki’s honour.
The colour theme reflects his spirit — Island shirts, kilts, tartan, or simply come as you feel most yourself.
After the London gatherings, Riki’s ashes will be returned home to Rarotonga to rest with his father.
Norwood Road
West Norwood
London
SE27 9JU
UK
Unit 8, Hamilton Road Industrial Estate
160 Hamilton Road
London
SE27 9SF
LINKS
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AxqJWif4HcXFp4_hP-0ktxwaK3QxPeqh/view?usp=sharing
paste the link into the webrowser if the link doesnt work
Service Date: Monday 24th November 2025
Service Time: 02:45 pm
Service Viewing Time: 02:40 pm – 03:35 pm
Please follow the website link and input the username and password. This will take you to the stream. Once the viewing window has passed the Live Stream will then automatically close and a message will appear saying "This funeral service has now finished". After the service, a video will be available online within three working days where it can be watched for a further 28 days at anytime.
ORDER OF CEREMONY
Link to order of ceremony handout from 24 November 2025
https://indd.adobe.com/view/227cea40-aa70-4e1c-a714-d1825b30eee0
DONATION/KOHA LINK
https://app.koha.kiwi/events/riki-s-onward-journey-oscar-hutchinson
Many have asked about offering Koha or donations in support of Riki’s son, Oscar. Any money collected will assist with his future education and wellbeing. Faced with the long journey of setting up a strong future for Oscar, we are gathering koha to help build a foundation for his education, his growth, and his connection back to his whenua and whakapapa. If you are in New Zealand, Australia or the Cook Islands you are welcome to use the Koha link. Our Riki was always giving and we know that he would be grateful for being able to give with the giving as Koha.kiwi does, we're grateful for your generosity and kindness.
If you would like to donate directly in New Zealand, Australia or the Cook Islands we have provided bank details below.
Sean Hutchinson
ANZ Bank
06-0199-0211904-00
If you are in the UK or Europe and would like to gift directly with an envelope at the service please add your name and a contact email or address. Provided for your ease is Katrina Hutchinson’s bank account. As with all koha, we ask that you share your contact information.
Katrina Hutchinson
Satander Bank
09-01-29 63451357
We know that our blessings remain in the people that surround Oscar as he walks his life's journey and to you we wish to share our profound gratitude and deepest appreciation.
Arohanui

