Tongan-New Zealand Olympic great Dame Valerie Adams has paid an emotional tribute to legendary New Zealand sports journalist, broadcaster and author Phil Gifford, saying he and his wife Jan became like family to her.
Gifford died on Tuesday night aged 79 after a media career spanning more than 50 years.
Adams was appointed a matāpule (herald) to Lord Vaea in January 2015, receiving the Tongan chiefly title Tongitupe-‘O e-Funga Taua from the noble, whose estate includes her home village of Houma in Tonga.
Gifford was one of New Zealand’s best-known sports journalists, broadcasters and authors, particularly renowned for his rugby writing and his satirical alter ego, Loosehead Len.
An Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Gifford worked with Adams on her 2012 book, Valerie: The Autobiography, a collaboration that developed into a close and lasting friendship with Adams and his wife, Jan.
Following news of his death, Adams said her “heart is heavy with sorrow over the loss of an extraordinary man”.
She recalled how Gifford and his wife Jan quickly became much more than professional acquaintances while they worked together on the book.
“Phil and his wonderful wife, Jan, quickly became like family to me when we began the journey of writing my book,” Adams said.
“It was a challenging time for all of us, especially as Jan faced health struggles, but an unspoken bond blossomed from that experience.”
Adams said she eventually felt “like a cherished child to them”, with the couple becoming closely involved in both her sporting career and family life.
They travelled to Switzerland to visit her and attended several of her competitions, including the Commonwealth Games.
Their support continued through major milestones away from sport.
“They were there to celebrate the births of my children and helped care for them while I worked hard to make my comeback,” Adams said.
When the four-time Olympic medallist relocated to Christchurch while pursuing her campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, having Gifford and Jan nearby made the move significantly easier, she said.
Adams also remembered Gifford’s passion for rugby, thanking him with humour for “all the rugby insights I didn’t know I needed”.
She said she would treasure their countless memories and the way Gifford and Jan had always welcomed her into their lives.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Jan and the entire family during this difficult time,” Adams said.
“You all meant so much to him.”
Gifford also worked with renowned rugby coach Sir Wayne Smith on his 2023 book, Smithy: Endless Winters & The Spring of ’22.
His death brings to a close a career of more than half a century in New Zealand sports journalism, broadcasting and writing.
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