John Sakey, a distinguished contributor to the Takapuna Bowling Club, both as a player and in various administrative roles, has died, after a lengthy illness, aged 79.

From a background in indoor bowls, John joined the club in 1994 and quickly became one of the leading juniors, winning between 1995 and 1999 no fewer than seven one-to-five-year titles, four in the fours and three in the pairs.

In the 2000s he then went on to win 12 open championships, five in the fours, six in the triples and once in the pairs with Murray Mathieson.

Many of his titles were won with Murray and with Trevor Forward and both of his centre titles were with these two fine players, the champion of champion triples in 2010 and the Dick Bree championship triples in 2012.

John achieved at national levels, too, and was in the Takapuna seven which won the national inter-club title in 2007 and with Mathieson and John Valentine the Trust New Zealand open triples at Henderson in 2012.

He also was in two winning teams at the club’s Birthday tournament, playing with Murray, Trevor and his wife Marguerite, also an accomplished bowler, in 2011 and again in 2012 in the club’s centenary season.

By profession John was a bank manager and his background in finance made him an invaluable member at executive levels and he was especially effective in securing tournament sponsorships.

He was an excellent organiser of events and some of the earliest tournaments in which the writer was involved were on a sub-committee with him and Nick Barnes. The club’s flagship event in recent years, under the direction of Chris Taylor, has been the Birthday tournament.

John had a stint as director of that event and helped revive it when in the early to mid -2000s it went into a momentary decline. He played a major role restoring some of the prestige it enjoys to this day, and the format under which it is now played was his idea.

John had been inactive at the club for some seasons because of his illness, but his significant contribution was recognised in 2020 when he was awarded honorary membership.

Marguerite, the winner, too, of many club championships, has given John unwavering support in what have been a difficult time. To her and their twin sons, David and Brendon, the club offers its sincerest condolences.

Vale, John. Rest in peace

Article added: Monday 22 September 2025