Mike, you've been taken from us way too soon. You will truly be missed. I loved our early morning coffee, swapping of horror stories of what the cat or dog did. You were an amazing story teller and that twinkle in your eye always added a sparkle to your tales. You were truly humble, humourous, and a great friend, You've left us with some amazing memories that we'll never forget. One of the fond memories being the episode when Mike turned up at work in Paul's Aston Martin and took the CEOs spot. A light-hearted, good humoured comment from the CEO stating that we obviously pay our scientists too much but it didn't stop Mike from being proud of his new role of looking after (showing off) Paul's car. My sincerest condolences to your wife Glennys, your son Paul, daughter Debbie and your grandchildren. Our heart felt thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. This is good bye for now Mike, but never forgotten. We miss you x

For almost 20 years I had the privilege of meeting, chatting and occasionally pressing Mike Manning into projects together at HortResearch. We'd meet up by chance in Te Puke or a tauranga restaurant almost more regularly than in Auckland where we were based! It was always fun, even when he would give me a good humoured bollocking for something silly I'd done. I remember one time I arrived at Te puke Research Centre, then half an hour later Mike arrived and emerged from his car cursing my name - Turns out I had stopped near Ohinewai for a nap and Mike drove past, noticed the HortResearch car parked up and got concerned I'd had a bad turn. Like the gentleman he was, he turned round up the road and had driven back to check up on me, only to find I had already woken and driven off perfectly fine. By the time he did another U-turn to get back on his way, a car transport truck had passed and a slow trip to Tahuna had to be endured, as there are few places to pass on that road! Another time I was in the car with him and actually became suddenly very ill so we had to wait for an ambulance to come and take me to waikato hospital. MIke refused to carry on home and waited for hours until I was fixed up so he could drop me home at the door. MIke excelled at taking young people under his arm and engaging with us so that we felt included and nurtured in the strange new world of a science career, regardless of what part of the organisation we were in. I always rated him highly and appreciated how approachable he was to everyone at work and in the kiwifruit industry. He will be missed by a great many. Mike Currie

I had the extreme good fortune to have worked very closely with Mike for 8 years and have continued to value his friendship to this day. Mike was most definitely one of a kind - very warm, honest, sincere, generous with his time and advice, and humble to boot. He had a huge appetite for life and passionately threw himself into whatever he was doing, often with a competitive edge. Mike had a very special smile. Even his eyes seemed to be smiling with that ever-present twinkle. If there was one thing Mike really liked to do it was talk. He was always holding court sharing his endless supply of stories or his latest escapades to an enraptured audience. He had a tremendous amount of energy and a massive capacity for work. It didn’t matter how tedious or long the task at hand was, we would always have loads of fun doing it. I’m very proud of what we accomplished. He literally saved the kiwifruit industry from what can only be described as an existential rot crisis. Mike, here’s to calm seas and full sails as you caste off on your last journey.

There's a group of MIke's old Foreign Exchange (FX) sailing crew reminiscing and sharing. As Ric has said, thanks to Mike for bringing us together again. You made it again, your enthusiasm joy and smile reuniting your crew around you. We loved Mike, we loved his company, his stories, his laughter, the banter over the dishes. Thank you for sharing your life with us Mike, sharing your love of sailing, and thank you to your family for sharing Mike with us too.

oh gosh Mike, what a shock to read that you had passed away. So many memories came flooding back of the years growing up all together in Birkenhead living across the road from you. My heart goes out to your family and to John and Julie. RIP Mike.

Oh Mike, I am so sorry that a gremlin caught you. You were part of the amazing Manning family that Peggy and I cruised with over so many years. We always remember you as the gentle thinking member of the family who was always able to hold such great conversations with us. Glennys, you are now free after so many years of caring and concern. Live on well with your family. I am so sorry that I could not make the funeral today but shared it on line. Thank you. Go well! I will keep a look out for Wildfire for Mike .

Sorry to hear of your passing Mike. I really enjoyed the opportunities I had to work with Mike. He was always so enthusiastic about every aspect of his work and life and was very welcoming whenever I visited Mt Albert. I also really appreciated everything Mike did as an outstanding TD for the equestrian sport. From my involvement in eventing I understood both the professionalism and passion he brought to the role. It was a privilege and always a pleasure to know you. Rest in peace.

Mike was a fine kind man who was great to work with and just to be around. I really enjoyed our frequent chats about sailing, life and work. He was a wonderful story teller, always with a glint in the eye, an example of which is a series of videos we recorded with him in 2014 talking about life in DSIR times. Such a natural speaker in front of a camera. He had an infectious smile and wonderful wit and he will be missed by all. Rest In Peace Mike.

An amazing person, fabulous colleague, and good friend, Mike you will be dearly missed. You were an inspiration and your stories and adventures often had us in hysterics. I will always remember your kindness and generosity of spirit. We were all privileged to know you. Rest in peace

So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Mike was one of those brilliant/hilarious characters that made working at HortResearch and then PFR so interesting. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a funny story to tell. Rest in peace.

So sad to hear of your passing Mike and I know you will be greatly missed by so many but especially by your lovely family who are just part of the legacy you have left us. I was lucky to spend quite a lot of time with you all during the RNZAF Saddle Club and Whenuapai Pony Club days and also when you were so kind when I was grazing at your home in Whenuapai. I will always remember your quiet , friendly manner, your willingness to help others with a kind word, good advice and often with lots of hard work too. You were always working away helping and supporting others. You were a very kindhearted person with an engaging smile and a generous spirit. I lost contact in recent years but while living in the BOP and driving past all the orchards , I have often reflected on the big contribution you must have made to this region through sharing your knowledge and your support of the orchardists. Rest In Peace , Mike. Thank you for your many kindnesses. I was lucky to be your friend..

I am so sad to learn of Mike's passing. He was loved by all of us who worked at DSIR / HortResearch for his friendly cheerful disposition. Remembering the lunchtime & tea break chats by the sunny windows in the MARC cafeteria, always smiling and his little green MGBGT sports car back in the day. My heartfelt sympathy to Glennys and family. Farewell friend.

*I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mike. I knew 'Mr Manning' from Pony Club and eventing days. I have the fondest memories of him from those days. He was always kind and supportive, not just of Paul and Debbie's riding, but of all of us. He was generous with his time and efforts, helping out wherever he could. I will always remember him for his kindness and warmth, a glowing smile, and enjoying a good laugh. My thoughts and love are with you all Nikki xxxxx

I didn’t know Mike as well as lots of you. My experience with his was through Pony Club when he would often be our TD. Mike you always did an amazing job. Your manner was always quiet and reassuring and you were always smiling even when things went wrong. I will always remember your words of encouragement to our young riders and especially those for our children. You gave them more than you know with your quiet words. Thank you. It has been a pleasure to have known you Love to Glennys and family Jenny Armstrong

Such sad news, Mike was an amazing person, always friendly and happy to chat about everything and anything. You will be missed by us all.

Farewell old friend. You’ve left me with wonderful memories of great trips together to California and Italy, and those multiple long brutal days in Te Puke kiwifruit orchards post-Psa. Full of good times, hard work, laughter, good food, good wine, an opinion on everything and a yarn for every occasion. Your knowledge, enthusiasm, humility, willingness to help others, humour and love of life made the world a better place. An all-round good bloke, gone way too soon.

I knew Mike very well over a number of years when his daughter was involved in Pony Club. At the time I was President of Whenuapai Pony and Mike threw himself into everything at the club. He eventually became President for some years, and also became trained as a Technical Director in Eventing. He carried on this part time occupation for years, travelling overseas to TD at International events which he really enjoyed. He was active, energetic, interested in everything and always prepared to do more. He seemed to have a permanent smile on his faced this encouraged the people around him to follow him. He loved his wife and family to bits and would do anything for them. He will be sorely missed.

I was fortunate enough as a young graduate to work for Pak/Manning and they introduced me to and infected me with their passion for the kiwifruit industry and doing research focused on delivering value for growers. It was an ethos that has stuck with me for a career that has delivered a lot of amazing opportunities, a great deal of satisfaction and introduced me to some really great people. So thank you for the part you played in that Mike. It was a real pleasure to reconnect with Mike during the Psa incursion and I appreciated his advice and support during a challenging times. Mike's great sense of humor and is love for life made him great fun to be around. Mike I hope you are sailing with your Dad.

It is with sadness that Zespri learned of the passing of Mike Manning. Mike is well known to a number of our team and our growers in New Zealand, Asia and Europe having spent over two decades working on various diseases of kiwifruit of critical importance to the industry ranging from fruit rots to woody trunk diseases and of course Psa. Mike was one of the first out of town scientists to turn up following the Psa incursion and was quickly pressed into service by the Zespri team (incidentally not returning home for two nights after what was intended to be a day trip). Mike was one of those special people who not only have a deep passion and knowledge of his subject matter but his charismatic personality and empathy for growers meant he easily bridged the gap between laboratory and orchard and could talk about complex topics in a simple accessible manner. Mike will be remembered as a grower’s scientist providing the kind of passion that has allowed the kiwifruit industry to become the success that it is. We send our best wishes to his family, friends and colleagues who like us will miss his witty banter and impressive knowledge. Carol Ward Zespri Chief Grower, Industry & Sustainability Officer

Mike, what a wonderful guy! I wasn't lucky enough to work directly with you, but I did get to enjoy your presence at many a morning and afternoon tea at HortResearch/PFR. I will never forget your positive attitude, good humour, and many a tale of your travels both working for PFR as well as running horse events. You truly have lived a full life! Rest in peace.

I will miss Mike. I would not be in the position I am now without the support and encouragement I had from Mike. I have so many great memories of traveling with him for grapevine trunk disease work and a little bit of kiwifruit as well. Shared meals and advice, including to spend time with my family. It was great to stay with Mike and his family when I came to Auckland even if we did always leave early to miss the traffic. I am so glad I was able to be at Mike’s retirement a few years back. Mike was generous with his time and his sayings. One saying that sticks in my head was, “It is better that they think you are an idiot than open your mouth and prove it”. I would like to thank Glennys, Paul and Debbie for sharing Mike with us at Plant and Food Research.

Hard to believe that such vibrant personality has gone. Mike and I were technicians together in the early days of the Mt Albert Research Centre, when it was known as DSIR. I seldom found Mike without a smile on his face and his enthusiasm for life was manifest in everything he did. Unlike some of us, MIke retained his youthful appearance and quick smile well into his senior years. His passing is a great shock and he will be greatly missed, not only by his family, but by many of his past colleagues who knew him so well at the research centre.

Dear Mike, you were such a neat person to know, both at work and out sailing with us on the Gulf. Lots of great memories. You went far too soon. Condolences to Glennys and family.

Very sad to hear the news! I'll remember our breakfasts planning and reviewing Psa response activities in 2010 while I was at MPI at Mount Maunganui. You always provided the best advice and technical information in a simple way for us non-path people! And with a smile and laughter. You will be missed!

So sad that you have been taken too early Mike. Such a genuine and fabulous person and I loved working with you.....you always made it fun and interesting.

Such sad news, you were a true gentleman Mike who will be very much missed.

A sad piece of news indeed, you would be hard pressed to meet a nicer person in your science travels than Mike. His tireless travels in the early parts of the Psa response in particular illustrated how he was always willing to contribute his knowledge and energy-even if sometimes at some personal cost. We will miss him, and his many stories.

Lots of positive memories of Mike over the decades going back to the DSIR days. Mike was always good to work with but my most vivid memories are of the conversations in the MARC Cafeteria and the stories of sailing and horses that kept all of us entertained. Farewell. Ian

I’m so sorry to hear that dear Mike has passed. What a fantastically entertaining colleague he was over many years. I never tired of hearing his funny stories. He was rarely without a twinkle in his eye and was a great friend to many of us at Hortresearch and Plant&Food.

Farewell Mike. Always happy to help anyone. An important member of the Pathology Team for so many years.. Your work n the group working on bud rot of kiwifruit at Te Puke will always be remembered. Also the Botrytis work with Henry Pak was so important for the industry. Mike - a great friend always with a smile .and a joke.

This is such sad news - Mike was such a lovely guy, a long-standing colleague and friend. We even shared experiences on Townson 32s, although I could never match his skill! We spent many happy hours together at DSIR/HortResearch/Plant & Food Research, chatting on a wide range of topics, on which we nearly always both agreed. He could tell fascinating stories about his very varied interests. He was so proud of his family, who will miss him immensely, as will we all.

Ah Mike, you were one of my favorites. When I joined the Pathology team in 1993, you took me under your wing a bit, and shared that you also started with an NZCS straight out of school with the DSIR. I held your career up as something I could potentially aspire to. Still haven't got anywhere near your lofty heights mate. What a legend. And you always had the best stories, with or without a gin or two.