The Western Bay of Plenty district is mourning the loss of a prominent figure in both local governance and community activism as news spreads of the sudden passing of Maketu-Te Puke Councillor Richard Crawford.

Richard, a dedicated councillor and cherished member of the Te Puke community, succumbed to a heart attack after enjoying cycling through the serene trails of the Redwood Forest.

After having a heart attack on Saturday afternoon, he died in Tauranga Hospital at 2.45am Sunday morning.

Mayor Bay Mayor James Denyer notified his councillors early on Sunday, and expressed his personal condolences to family members.

Mayor James says he and fellow councillors and community board members are shattered by the news.

“On behalf of Council, I want to express my deepest sympathy to Richard’s wife Julie, and his family, friends and loved ones,” says Mayor James.

“The news of his death is a huge shock, and his passing will be felt keenly by his colleagues at Council and in the wider Te Puke community.

“His contribution at Council and previously on the Te Puke Community Board was significant and his commitment to community organisations in Te Puke was much valued. He will be sorely missed.”

Richard was one of four new councillors voted in to Western Bay of Plenty District Council in October 2022, currently in his first term as Maketu-Te Puke Councillor. He and Andy Wichers were the two new Te Puke Maketu Ward Councillors joining John Scrimgeour and Grant Dally.

This follows one term on the Te Puke Community Board, as board chair from 2019-2022, before he decided to 'step up” and run for council.

At the time he said “'I felt it's the right place for me to be in my life so I decided to stand.”

Richard and his wife Julie, have been Te Puke residents, and have four children and three grandchildren.

He has been a real community man, with his heart at the centre of strengthening his local community.

The 66-year-old spent 13 years as a volunteer firefighter, has been the chair of the Daily Charitable Trust - a not for profit organisation that fosters community connections, and has run his own building company.

When voted in, in 2022, he said “a lot of people just think council's got all the answers, but the answer is not just in council. The answer is with council and community working together.”

On joining council as a councillor, he said he’d been looking forward to being able to vote on decisions in council, whereas when he was on the community board he could be involved in discussions but not vote.

Richard’s unexpected departure has left a void in the hearts of many, as well as leaving a council seat vacant.

“Losing someone so unexpectedly is hard to grasp and this will take some time to process,” says Mayor James.

“Richard was a hugely respected member of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council whānau and his passing leaves a big gap.”