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Darren Yates

October 12, 1972 - August 14, 2020

The administrator of this page is Nadine Hura

Darren Yates (Hura), passed away two years ago this year. Because he left us during Covid lockdown, very few of our whānau and friends could travel to be with us. His tangi and service were cut short, and few people had a chance to say goodbye. We created this page on the anniversary to give those who knew him the chance to share their stories and memories, especially those who wanted a way to acknowledge him at the time but couldn't. But even if you have only come to know him after he passed away, we'd love to hear your messages too (we know many have only come to know him through stories about him - Darren would love this!). We'll treasure every story and photo. Thank you... mā te kahukura, ke rere te manu!

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  • 2022-08-21 23:21:34 View / Comment (0)
    Nicholas Henry

    Nicholas Henry

    Nicholas Henry

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    I remember going out to play pool with Darren in Wellington and talking to him about what we would both do to try to settle our minds down. I felt a deep connection with him and always wished that we lived closer to each other so we could spend more time together. He was a brilliant soul, so talented in so many ways. I remember him showing me his skydiving videos and talking about the peace he found while he was in the air which really resonated with me. I remember him flying around the drift racetrack with the ease and control of a professional who had been doing it his whole life. Rest easy, Darren, we love and miss you.

  • 2022-08-18 09:43:26 View / Comment (0)
    Lauren Wash

    Lauren Wash

    Lauren Wash

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    Darren's Aunty Pat found this photo, but its a goodie. Darren and his Nana Marjorie, enjoying the Queens speech Christmas Day. Maybe late 80's post a famous Pat's Christmas lunch.

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  • 2022-08-18 09:36:11 View / Comment (0)
    Lauren Wash

    Lauren Wash

    Lauren Wash

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    I was another of Darren's cousins. As children we had lots of family get togethers at our family home in Massey. This was one of the many running races we all did. I am sure Nadine and I got a headstart in the one pictured. Unfortunately we lost touch as adults I spent time in the UK. Many years later, Darren was working as a plumber. I called a local plumbing firm to fix our hot water tank and Darren comes to the door. Initially, we didn't recongise each other as adults and it didn't help that I'd become a redhead. But as soon as he spoke I knew it was him. We had a good catch up, talking about our kids and work. He went on to fix the hot water tank , took minutes, another example of how practical and skilled he was. Hope you're at peace Darren.

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  • 2022-08-17 21:12:14 View / Comment (0)
    Paul Henry

    Paul Henry

    Paul Henry

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    I wish that I'd been able to spend more time with Darren but I always felt a connection to him as a cousin. I remember visiting when I was studying abroad in Sydney and demolishing an old shed at Nadine's house and being in awe of how good with his hands and tools he was - it was almost embarrassing how much more efficient he was. I remember this amazing big screen projector setup he put together and watching movies, his driving me and Nicholas around Wellington, showing us Peter Jackson's estate and many other sites, all while rolling a cigarette on his knees with one hand (impressive). I remember him describing tinkering with various inventions and being amazed at how his mind worked. I even remember way way back in the day when I was about 5 playing hide and seek and Dion and Darren stuffing me up in the attic. It had been far too long since we'd seen each other and I'm very sad we won't get to again. I miss him.

  • 2022-08-15 01:09:03 View / Comment (0)
    Julie Johnston

    Julie Johnston

    Julie Johnston

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    Thinking of you all. Lots of memories of Darren as children because we saw so much of each other. We used to play a lot of games in the big tree behind our old shed. There wasn’t a treehouse but you could sit on all the lower branches so it was kind of like a tree house. Most of us didn’t go any higher then the lower branches but I do remember Darren climbing higher up the tree without any fear. Also lots of bouncing on your trampoline and games with our Sheba and your Pup. I don’t remember Darren being mean to anyone even once as a child. I think he was a very kind boy. While we didn’t see much of each other in later life, it was always good to hear what Darren was up to. Every time, we drive past the Manawatu wind turbines we marvel at Darren abseiling down them,. Thinking of Darren today and all of you. Julie xx

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  • 2022-08-14 07:31:58 View / Comment (0)
    Pat Sanderson

    Pat Sanderson

    Pat Sanderson

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    I am Darren's Auntie Pat and knew him from the day he was born - 2 months before our 2nd daughter. We had some good family gatherings when he was young and always spent Christmas together. Darren helped us when we had a party at the local tennis club for our eldest daughters 21st birthday, he was indispensable, hard working and willing. Darren was very intelligent, a thinker, but also was very skilled in a practical way, he could turn his hand to anything. When we lived in Wellington in recent years I met him for a coffee sometimes and we talked politics, usually for well over an hour. I was working on the 14th floor of a building in Wellington about 8 years ago and I looked out of the window and there was Darren abseiling up the building. Another time he was in the lift which was crowded and I didn't recognize him at first as he had his cap on and it was pulled right down. I asked him why he wore a cap all the time and he said because he was losing his hair, that came from the Yates side of the family I said. I suppose it was hard for him as he had beautiful hair as a child. We think of him often.

  • 2022-08-13 07:39:16 View / Comment (1)
    Beverley Smith

    Beverley Smith

    Beverley Smith

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    Cousins/Family at Auntie Pat’s & Uncle Ron’s house. Beverley

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  • 2022-08-13 00:09:24 View / Comment (0)
    Beverley Smith

    Beverley Smith

    Beverley Smith

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    I was one of Darren’s many cousins. I spent a lot of time overseas so unfortunately I didn’t know Darren well. However, I have really enjoyed reading and hearing all about Darren. My Dad’s memories of Darren- “Very clever and mechanical with his hands. Great company and especially remembers a great night out as once Darren relaxed he was good fun and very entertaining!” Uncle David & Beverley

  • 2022-08-11 23:37:27 View / Comment (0)
    Vikki Sanderson

    Vikki Sanderson

    Vikki Sanderson

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    Darren was my cousin. We were born in the same year, our birthdays approximately two months apart, both the middle child of three so I suppose we had a couple of things in common. Despite seeing each other quite a bit when we were kids, it was only in recent years that we reconnected. Although having said that, I do recall in 1991, a slightly reckless drive to Muriwai Beach with Darren’s friend and my best friend Jackie after my older sisters 21st birthday party at the Massey Tennis Club. More recently we had the occasional phone and text chats Darren was intelligent and incredibly deep. He introduced me to the phrase “I never let weeds grow in my garden” and I try not to as well. Last year, I came across this candle holder at the local garden centre and bought it without hesitation, whenever I look at it I think of Darren and hope he is in a better place.

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  • 2022-08-11 09:15:41 View / Comment (2)

    Bruce Tanner

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    Darren put together a little contraption in my container at work. He said that if I even got a bit close it could send a high voltage arc onto me & I'd be toast! We had a great time showing it to the crew, it made such a cool sound. Darren loved to share and was the best to work with!

  • 2022-08-10 21:50:33 View / Comment (0)

    Nadine Hura

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    It takes some skill to drive like this, js!!

  • 2022-08-10 21:59:38 View / Comment (0)
    Nadine Hura

    Nadine Hura

    Nadine Hura

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    Uncle Bobby, who spoke at his service: "What can I say about Darren that hasn’t already been said? How annoying he could be, being late for his own funeral! How funny, how loving, how clever. Some of you wouldn’t know how clever he was.

    • Nicholas Henry 2022-08-21 23:21:34 wrote:

    I remember going out to play pool with Darren in Wellington and talking to him about what we would both do to try to settle our minds down. I felt a deep connection with him and always wished that we lived closer to each other so we could spend more time together. He was a brilliant soul, so talented in so many ways. I remember him showing me his skydiving videos and talking about the peace he found while he was in the air which really resonated with me. I remember him flying around the drift racetrack with the ease and control of a professional who had been doing it his whole life. Rest easy, Darren, we love and miss you.

    Nicholas Henry 2022-08-21 23:21:34 wrote: I remember going out to play pool with Darren in Wellington and talking to him about what we would both do to try to settle our minds down. I felt a deep connection with him and always wished that we lived closer to each other so we could spend more time together. He was a brilliant soul, so talented in so many ways. I remember him showing me his skydiving videos and talking about the peace he found while he was in the air which really resonated with me. I remember him flying around the drift racetrack with the ease and control of a professional who had been doing it his whole life. Rest easy, Darren, we love and miss you.

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