Touch New Zealand is heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Andrew Moke Timoti, MNZM – a much loved and respected member of the Touch community.

Andrew, or Rowdy – was a tireless, passionate ‘giver’ to our sport, especially the referee sector. This service had no boundaries – starting at the grassroots and stretching right around the world.

For 30 years Rowdy was a leader and personified what it meant to serve with grace, humility and mana - whether it be for Rotorua Touch Association, Bay of Plenty Touch Association, Whakatāne Touch Association, Māori Touch NZ or his numerous roles within the Touch New Zealand Referee sector. 

Rowdy was a trailblazer. He officiated 62 international test matches, and attended five world cups as a referee. At the 2003 World Cup in Japan, he was the first New Zealander to receive the ranking of #1 referee in the world. He retained this ranking at the 2007 World Cup in South Africa – before announcing his retirement. In 2008, Rowdy became a member of the Touch NZ Referee Coaching Panel, and in 2019 became a member of the FIT Referee Coaching Panel.

In the 2008 Queens Birthday Honours, Andrew Moke Timoti was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to Touch.

In early December, the Touch New Zealand Board voted unanimously to present Rowdy with a Distinguished Service Award. Plans were in place to present this to him last weekend at the Bunnings NZ Secondary Schools Nationals event in Rotorua. Sadly, Rowdy passed away the afternoon of this presentation. The award was accepted on his behalf, by his whanau and loved ones.

We wish to acknowledge his loving wife Te Meinga Timoti, and their tamariki & mokopuna. Our thoughts and love are with his whanau at this time.

Moe mai ra, Chief. 

Andrew Moke Timoti MNZM
1^st December 1970 – 10^th December 2022
 

Article added: Monday 12 December 2022