[Obituary] Peter Hensley
Long-standing and well-respected adviser Peter Hensley has died.
Thursday, July 31st 2014, 12:02PM 
40 Comments
Peter is probably one of the first advisers I got to know well in this industry. He built a strong profile over the years, wrote several books and columns in the Sunday Star Times and Investigate magazine. He always wanted to win the Financial Planner of the Year Award we ran, but unfortunatly never claimed the top prize, although he would have been a deserving winner.
I remember Peter as a real gentleman who was impish, often with a twinkle in his eye as he delivered some comments with his dry wit. I understand he never wore a watch and rarely put on a tie.
In the financial planning world he was a strong supporter of independent advice and played a significant role with adviser association SiFA. Several years ago, though, he moved his business, The Money People, into Craigs Investment Partners. While that was a surprise to me, he explained his reasons for doing this in a recent article in ASSET Magazine.
Hensley had a love of golf, and often at conferences you would find him out the course with a core group of fellow advisers.
Peter did a lot of work helping educate people about money matters and he was also a Justice of the Peace and a Marriage Celebrant. Besides being a JP at the local court house he was a visiting JP for the local prison and is a trustee of Hospice Taranaki Foundation.
Hensely was born in Australia and came to live in New Plymouth with his wife Kathryn. He had recently been diagnosed with a serious illness. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
We wrote this article about Peter 14 years ago
RIP Henso.
- Philip Macalister
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Comments from our readers
On 31 July 2014 at 3:19 pm Clayton Coplestone said:
A tragic loss to the industry. Condolences On 31 July 2014 at 3:34 pm Ross Bradding said:
A true gentleman, a pleasure to have known him and an honour to call him a friend.
Rest in peace
On 31 July 2014 at 3:46 pm Michael Taylor said:
A great loss greeted with great sadness. RIP On 31 July 2014 at 4:11 pm Nigel Tate said:
Our profession has lost a real stalwart, Peter was a gentleman in the old sense of the word and will be sadly missed. He would challenge when required and congratulate when there were successes, he had a clear focus on his family, clients, community and profession.
I’m sure he leaves with the respect of most if not all of his professional colleagues.
Farewell Peter.
On 31 July 2014 at 4:32 pm Fiona Fourie said:
I too knew Peter really well, always enjoyed our conference catch ups. My memory was of him asking attendees (think it was at a conference mid 90s) of stating in 3 words what made people successful. He was going to turn it into a book, does anyone know if he did?
By the by, my reply was persistence, persistence, persistence.
A great man who will be missed.
On 31 July 2014 at 4:56 pm Bevan Bradding said:
The passing of a fine gentleman and a lovely fellow. Nothing was too much trouble.
On 31 July 2014 at 5:41 pm David Whyte said:
Very sad news. Peter was a real gentleman and will be missed by all. On 31 July 2014 at 6:47 pm Stephen O'Connor said:
A great bloke who will be missed by many......RIP Peter. On 31 July 2014 at 10:33 pm David Boyle said:
Pete was a pleasure to work with and he will be remembered as one of the true personalities of our profession. I will miss his dry Aussie banter and support he has given me in my career over the years. On 1 August 2014 at 6:42 am Fred Dodds said:
Peter was always up for a game of golf, a chat and a joke - He will certainly be missed - a good man in all ways On 1 August 2014 at 7:36 am Trevor Slater said:
Very sad to hear of Peter's passing. He was a nice guy and always made time to chat and pass on his wisdom. He will be missed. On 1 August 2014 at 7:54 am Barry Read said:
Bugger. An innings well played by a man with a passion for helping people. Always had a great attitude and friendly smile. My condolences to the family. On 1 August 2014 at 8:19 am Yvonne Davie said:
So terribly sad to hear this news. I have very fond memories of Pete and my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Rest in Peace good man. On 1 August 2014 at 9:12 am Thom Bentley said:
Very sad news. One of the real personalities of our industry, and he will be missed. On 1 August 2014 at 9:19 am Carey Church said:
This news was a shock to me, Henso was so young and full of energy, vitality and words. Peter and I fondly remember our many discussions with Henso, including a long cab trip in Fiji in the middle of the GFC.
We will miss him, his genuineness, interest, passion and preparedness to help others. Thanks Henso for your contribution to not only the industry, but to your clients and the people that you have touched.
On 1 August 2014 at 10:47 am Helen Robertson said:
Such sad news. Peter will be missed by so many. Trips to New Plymouth will no longer be the same. RIP Peter. On 1 August 2014 at 11:09 am Lyn Bell said:
So very sad to hear the news...Rest in Peace. On 1 August 2014 at 11:10 am David Burt said:
So sad to hear this. One of our super stars. He added so much to the adviser community. On 1 August 2014 at 11:32 am Amy Hensley said:
Thank you for all of your kind and beautiful comments. A gathering for Peter will be held at 11am at the Ngamotu Golf Club on Monday 4th August. On 1 August 2014 at 12:51 pm SiFA said:
Peter was a longstanding member and past president of SIFA, and he will be missed.
SIFA is taking up the family's wish for donations to the Neurological Foundation of NZ, and making a donation in his memory.
Should others wish to do the same, we are sure it would appreciated by Peter's family, knowing that he was a highly regarded and respected member of our industry.
Donations may be direct credited to: Neurological Foundation of NZ, ANZ Auckland, 06-0287-0133301-07, REF: Your surname and initials. Should you wish to receive a receipt, email your full name and address details with the amount and date of your donation to admin@neurological.org.nz. All donations are tax deductible.
On 1 August 2014 at 1:29 pm Maureen Marr said:
A wonderful, genuine man gone much too soon. I worked for Peter for nearly twelve years and his passing will leave a huge hole in my life. He was a true friend as well as a great boss.
RIP Peter
On 1 August 2014 at 3:56 pm Robert Oddy said:
Peter – an intelligent, caring and gentle man with independent thought, an innate sense of fair play, amusing dry wit and a wonderfully mischievous sense of humour, stirred judiciously with doses of humility and a down to earth personality. He loved his family and in quiet moments would talk with pride of their individual achievements. Contributing to his community was not seen as a chore but his responsibility – an old-fashioned Kiwi attitude that Peter fulfilled well, with his common sense approach providing a welcome breath of fresh air.
His relaxed style of writing as an author and contributor to various newspapers and magazines invited readers to grasp opportunities that previously might have seemed unattainable. That style of encouragement and support was extended also to his clients, colleagues and the professional bodies to which he belonged.
Peter’s enjoyment of sport was topped by his addiction to golf. And his boyish excitement at being able to successfully slip out of conferences with his golfing buddies for enthusiastically challenged games was legend. His laughter when returning as victor was infectious.
This wonderfully generous, big-hearted man hasn’t disappeared though; he’s just popped out with his dignity intact and can be seen as the brightest star in the sky each night, beaming down upon us.
Cheers, Peter
On 1 August 2014 at 4:27 pm David Gordon said:
Pete was a gentle, generous, and genuine human being. He was my mentor, confidant, trusted adviser in life, but most importantly, my friend. I will miss him immensely, but always consider him at my ear and guiding my thoughts. On 2 August 2014 at 3:14 pm Craig Offwood said:
Peter provided support and encouragement to many people, myself included. He always found the best in things. I am grateful for the times that I could catch up with him at conferences, industry events and on the golf course. You will be missed by many. Condolences to the family. On 2 August 2014 at 4:53 pm Peter Jones said:
This is very sad news and my condolences to family. Peter's smile and enthusiasm will be missed by all in and around the industry. Taken too early for sure. On 3 August 2014 at 9:35 pm Peter Barker said:
I knew Peter and worked with him for much of the past ten years. He was what this industry should be about, clients interests always first, never clipping the ticket.
His passing and that of his great friend and golfing buddy David Wallace a couple of years ago have seen a huge hole left in many lives.
I am sure they will soon be renewing their intense rivalry on that great golf course in the sky.
I will miss you buddy.
On 4 August 2014 at 1:59 am Maurice MacLaren said:
Farewell Peter, my old mate. Thanks for so many years of unstinting friendship and support. You were one of a kind and I'll miss you heaps.
On 4 August 2014 at 8:26 am Murray Harris said:
How very very sad. We have lost a true gentleman and one of the real good guys of the industry! RIP Peter. On 4 August 2014 at 9:45 am Ken O'Rourke said:
Sad news for us all and farewell to one of the true personalities of our industry. Peter was always a man of intelligence,wit and charm and who will be greatly missed. RIP and condolences to his family. On 4 August 2014 at 10:28 am Paul O'Brien said:
Sad news to hear of Peter's passing.
A gentleman and a scholar.
On 5 August 2014 at 8:08 pm Trisha Edmonds said:
Peter was a true gentlemen who took a real interest in those he met. A man of meaningful words and so very much respected by all. He will always be remembered fondly. On 5 August 2014 at 8:24 pm Paul Wilson said:
Like all was stunned to here of Peter's passing.
Will always remember those competitive rounds of golf we enjoyed with that other old bandido the late David Wallace.
Goodbye to a true gentleman and a scholar
On 6 August 2014 at 8:02 am Lisa Dudson said:
Peter had a lovely balance between being very focused and committed to his clients and his work and having a great sense of humour and a playful attitude. He made a significant contribution to financial education and will be greatly missed. On 6 August 2014 at 11:50 am Peter Flannery said:
This is sad news indeed. Sincere condolences to Peter's family. Peter will be missed by us all.
On 7 August 2014 at 9:27 am David Beattie said:
Shocked to hear this news.
Too few genuinely good guys in the industry to lose one like Peter.
My thoughts with and condolences to the family.
On 7 August 2014 at 12:13 pm Aaron Klee said:
A sad loss. Had loads of fun and learnt a lot from Henso. Fond memories of playing golf with him at conferences and enjoying all of the banter that came with it. I suspect he and David Wallace are teeing up somewhere as I type... On 11 August 2014 at 5:59 pm Caroline Kyle said:
Farewell Henso. I will miss you terribly. Thankyou for your help when my late husband died. You were a true gentleman, generous with your time and wisdom and always managed to make us laugh I hope you and Dave are living it up on that great big beautiful golf course in the sky, giving each other heaps. Caroline xx
On 12 August 2014 at 10:28 am Shane Downey said:
I first met Pete back in 1995 when he was an attendee on a course I was facilitating. He made a real impression with his great industry knowledge and empathy with clients and industry issues.
I had kept contact with Pete ever since and considered him a mentor.
I am saddened by his passing, he is a real loss to our profession.
My condolences to the family, I will miss you.
On 13 August 2014 at 4:50 pm Tony Vidler said:
I echo the sentiments of all before me: a genuine loss to the industry, and to New Zealand at large. A gentleman who always played fair, and was willing to compromise, but who was unafraid to call it as he saw it. A good, thinking, caring man...who contributed to making his world a better place. Sign In to add your comment
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Rest in peace.