From the rugby press box to the homes of Christchurch radio listeners, Phil Gifford is being remembered for his extraordinary storytelling, infectious laugh and kindness that reached far beyond his public career.

Tributes from sporting organisations, broadcasters, friends and those he helped along the way have celebrated a man whose contribution to New Zealand media spanned more than five decades.

A combination of knowledge, humour and generosity ran through tributes from people who knew him at different stages of his life.

Newstalk ZB Sport commentator, journalist and presenter Elliott Smith told chrislynchmedia.com that Gifford was, “A lovely, lovely man.”

Smith recalled growing up in Christchurch listening to “Si and Phil” during the 1990s and 2000s, while collecting Gifford’s rugby books as a sports loving youngster.

“To then meet the man and work with him on and off at Newstalk ZB/Radio Sport was a real buzz, and he was just how he came through the radio,” Smith said.

Since taking on ZB’s lead rugby commentary role, Smith said barely a rugby test on New Zealand soil had passed without a discussion with Gifford afterwards in the media conference room.

“One of the best all-round media personalities the country has seen. A top man.”

Broadcaster and rugby commentator John Dunne remembered Gifford’s ability to make Canterbury his own after establishing the much loved Loosehead Len character in Auckland.

“When he came south he morphed brilliantly, became a dyed in the wool Cantabrian,” Dunne told chrislynchmedia.com.

“He was a master of all kinds of trivia and great company.”

Dunne recalled the pleasure of lunches together and particularly treasured staying at Waihi with Phil and Jan, simply being “away from it all”.

He said Gifford’s time on Christchurch radio and television demonstrated his authenticity and warmth, remembering him as an unrivalled rugby analyst and a “thoroughly good bastard”.

Fellow broadcaster and sports commentator Brian Ashby said Gifford’s versatility extended well beyond the familiar combination of commercial radio and print journalism.

He pointed to Gifford’s writing for the Billy T James Show, his Grizz Wyllie biography and Cadillac Dreams, his account of travelling through the southern United States.

“His entertaining writing style makes you feel as though you’re along for the ride with him,” Ashby told chrislynchmedia.com.

“He built a career and life that those of us who came later could only dream of. The best part was, he happily shared his knowledge and skills with others.”

Ashby also remembered how regularly Jan featured in their conversations.

“I will always remember that wherever he was, or whatever he was up to, he would always drop a mention of his beloved Jan into the conversation.”

Some of the most personal memories have come from Olympic champion Dame Valerie Adams, who said Gifford and his wife Jan became like family after they began working together on her book.

“I felt like a cherished child to them,” Adams wrote on social media.

Their friendship continued well beyond the writing process. Phil and Jan travelled to Switzerland to visit her, supported her at competitions including the Commonwealth Games, celebrated the births of her children and helped care for them during her sporting comeback.

“As I chased the Tokyo Olympics, I relocated to Christchurch, and this was made so much easier with Phil and Jan close by.”

Adams also remembered the rugby knowledge that inevitably accompanied time spent with Gifford.

“I am deeply grateful to Phil for all the rugby insights I didn’t know I needed, for the countless memories we shared, and for always welcoming me into their lives.”

For Executive Director at The Terrace, and former Christchurch City Councillor James Gough, memories of Gifford stretched back to childhood, when Phil and Jan were neighbours.

Gough recalled interviewing him on camera for a school project in Year 9 or 10. Whatever the shortcomings of his own production skills, Gifford’s storytelling carried the assignment.

“Basically Phil got top marks and I was just there,” Gough said.

They stayed in touch, with Gough remembering Gifford as a strong supporter of the push to build what is now One New Zealand Stadium.

“Phil was intelligent, big-hearted and had a brilliant sense of humour. A genuinely lovely man who will be missed by a lot of people.”

His longtime broadcasting partner Simon Barnett spoke to Chris Lynch about the friendship behind one of Christchurch’s most familiar radio partnerships.

For Barnett’s children, Phil and Jan were “Uncle Phil” and “Auntie Jan.”

Barnett recalled an emotional telephone conversation after learning Gifford had entered palliative care. Even then, his friend retained the pragmatism Barnett had always valued.

“I said, ‘I’m okay. I’m so sad.’ And he goes, ‘Oh well, mate, I’ve had a life few could dream of.’”

Gifford’s breadth of knowledge left an equally lasting impression.

“He had the greatest depth and breadth of general knowledge of anybody I’ve ever met, man or woman, in my life.”

New Zealand Rugby described Gifford as a pillar of sports journalism who covered the game on and off the field for more than 50 years.

“From Loosehead Len to biographies of some of our sport’s greats, Phil’s work helped connect fans to rugby in entertaining and thought-provoking ways.”

Sky Sport NZ offered a tribute to his ability to look beyond results and sporting reputations.

“Phil Gifford had a way of bringing the people behind the stories to life.”

Eden Park recalled a connection that began in 1959, when Gifford travelled by bus from Waihi with his father to attend his first rugby test.

He returned throughout his career, reporting on three Rugby World Cups and countless rugby and cricket occasions.

“He had a rare ability to capture not only what happened in sport, but why it mattered,” Eden Park said.

Personal messages on Gifford’s Facebook page revealed the influence he had on careers and friendships away from the spotlight.

One person credited him with giving them their start in radio. Another remembered advice at their first radio awards in 1996 and the laughs shared during his weekly Loosehead appearances on Hauraki.

A tribute from the Greggs and the wider Holy Toledos/Finnegans clan recalled friendships formed during the “Si & Phil” years.

“I can humbly bear witness to the humour, kindness and wisdom you generously shared with all those who moved through your sphere.”

Across the tributes, condolences went to Jan, Gifford’s children and wider family. Alongside the admiration for his work came memories of conversations, encouragement and laughter.

Ashby’s farewell captured something many will miss.

“Thanks Phil. I’ll never forget that big hearty laugh!”