Broadcaster Simon Barnett has paid an emotional tribute to Phil Gifford, remembering his longtime radio partner as an extraordinary talent whose humour, kindness and warmth brought joy to generations of Christchurch listeners.

Speaking to Chris Lynch, Barnett reflected on a friendship that stretched across decades, radio stations and family life, from their breakfast broadcasting days at ZM and More FM to their eventual reunion at Newstalk ZB.

For Barnett’s children, Gifford and his wife Jan were simply “Uncle Phil” and “Auntie Jan”.

Barnett became emotional as he recalled calling Gifford after learning he had entered palliative care. The familiar, powerful voice he had known for so many years had become fragile, but his friend’s outlook remained unmistakably his own.

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

That pragmatism was one of the qualities Barnett treasured most. Where Barnett could become overwhelmed by emotion or anxious about radio ratings, Gifford brought perspective, often delivered with a wonderfully dry sense of humour.

“He just had this belly laugh, like he was like Pavarotti. The whole earth shook when he laughed.”

Behind that laugh was a mind Barnett regarded as exceptional.

Although Gifford was widely recognised for his rugby knowledge, Barnett said that public image captured only a fraction of the man he knew.

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

Music history, geography and travel were among his many interests. He read widely, retained facts with remarkable precision and continued seeking out new ideas as he grew older.

“He just had an incredible thirst for knowledge,” Barnett said.

“He taught me a hell of a lot.”

Barnett said Gifford continued writing a column until about 10 days before his death.

That breadth of knowledge also made him an enthusiastic storyteller, whether he was behind a microphone or catching up with a friend.

After Gifford moved back to Auckland, he regularly phoned Barnett to keep in touch. Seeing his name appear on the screen could prompt an affectionate calculation about how much time was available.

“Have I got an hour and a half ahead of me?” Barnett recalled thinking.

“He could tell a story like no one else.”

Lynch remembered the same enthusiasm during their time at Newstalk ZB, when Gifford would happily continue a conversation as Barnett tried to prepare for their programme.

The man listeners heard on air was the same man his colleagues knew away from it.

For Christchurch audiences, that authenticity helped turn a successful radio partnership into something much more personal.

Lynch recalled the affectionate birthday calls, complete with a guitar and singing, that made listeners feel as though Barnett and Gifford were friends with the whole city.

“We had a great affection for the city,” Barnett said.

He credited Gifford with the idea for their candid calls, remembering one particularly memorable exchange with a woman whose fiancé had revealed that the couple greeted each other on the telephone with chicken noises.

Barnett rang and began making the familiar sounds. She responded in kind, until Gifford could no longer contain his laughter.

The humour was matched by a strong work ethic. Barnett said Gifford encouraged him to remember their roots and keep making an effort for listeners, regardless of their ratings.

“He was a tireless worker.”

Their friendship also extended into some of Barnett’s most difficult personal moments.

When his wife Jodi was ill, Gifford called and spoke about the good times, the things he loved about her and the person she was.

“That just sort of centred me a little, I think.”

Barnett remembered a man who could be tough and direct, but who also had a soft heart.

Their different views on faith never prevented them from maintaining a close friendship. Barnett said Gifford respected the importance of his Christian beliefs, even though he did not share them.

“He never mocked my faith ever, not once.”

“I respected his; he respected mine.”

As messages arrived from listeners following Gifford’s death, Barnett reflected on the intimacy of radio and the privilege of becoming part of people’s everyday lives.

One encounter at Wellington Airport had stayed with him. Three sisters approached him, explaining that another sister in Christchurch was dying of cancer.

“You and Phil are what bring our family joy in the mornings. We have precious little of that. So just thank you,” one told him.

“I never forget those encounters because it makes me feel very privileged,” Barnett said.

Their later reunion at Newstalk ZB gave the pair another opportunity to share that connection with listeners.

Barnett recalled suggesting Gifford as his cohost when discussions began about his new programme. Both Gifford and Jan were delighted that the two friends would work together again.

“I’m very grateful for those memories at the end, which neither of us expected.”

For Barnett, the loss is both deeply personal and one that will be felt by the many people who welcomed Gifford’s voice into their homes and cars.

“He’ll be really missed because he was just a giant of a broadcaster, a real good dude.”