Sport Taranaki acknowledges the passing of David (Daisy) Lean, who among his other community contributions, was a central figure for many years in Sport Taranaki.

In 1994 Sport Taranaki CEO Howie Tamati invited Daisy to take on the chairmanship, a role he carried for nearly 20 years.

He took up the role soon after it was left vacant, after John Honnor stepped down. Stepping into the role would be an "exciting learning experience for us all," Daisy said at the time.

He said he wanted to to work with staff and management to get "obvious achievments for the people of Taranaki" with sport, recreation, leisure and health all part of the picture.

"It is better to make resources available at the beginning that to be the ambulance waiting at the bottom of the cliff on the other end. Sport has major benefits for young people, it can establish boundaries and acceptable codes of behaviour," he said.

Daisy went on to be central to Sport Taranaki’s success. His professional skills, networks and enthusiasm for sport offered a strong, trusted voice as the organisation navigated change.

                                                       Daisy Lean and Howie Tamati with plans for the Sport Taranaki HQ (2006)

At the time of Daisy’s board departure in December 2013, Howie Tamati paid tribute to him and fellow stalwart Mike Brooke:

“You know the characters of these two men, they can be brutally honest at times, but we have never fallen out. I look at the roles Daisy and Mike have played in Sport Taranaki I don’t think I could have got two better guys from the beginning.”

In recognition of his contributions, he was made a Life Member of Sport Taranaki and continued to be a strong supporter.

Reflecting back on his time with Sport Taranaki in the North Taranaki Midweek Daisy said he was very satisfied with what he achieved with the team. "The organisation was $2.1m in debt when I joined, and we managed to pay back every cent and put it into profit. A true success story, hard-won." 

It was a difficult decision to step down in 2013, Daisy said.

"After a while the work you do just gets into your blood. Nobody ever wants to give up a job they love. But, that said, just because you are not at the helm anymore doesn't mean you stop having input."

                                                                  Mike Brooke, Howie Tamati and Daisy Lean (2013)

Sport Taranaki Chair Nicole Chadwick reflected on his lasting impact:

“Daisy’s dedication to Sport Taranaki across two decades was instrumental in laying the foundations for the organisation we know today. His wisdom, sense of purpose, and genuine care for our communities have left a mark. We owe much of our progress to his leadership.”

Beyond Sport Taranaki, the energetic, community-minded man served as Mayor of New Plymouth from 1980 to 1992 and led the region’s civil defence response for more than 30 years. He was also a long-standing councillor on the Taranaki Regional Council, joining the council when it was formed in 1989. He had a break between 1992 and 1995 but returned in 1995, remaining in office, until his passing.

MORE

Radio New Zealand 12 June 2025 Former New Plymouth mayor David Lean remembered as a 'visonary'  

Taranaki Daily News 10 June 2025 The decent bloke with a vision that inspired his community

Taranaki Daily News 18 March 2019 Former mayor of New Plymouth vows to walk unaided after losing leg to gangrene

Taranaki Daily News 11 December 2015 David "Daisy" Lean's three decades in Civil Defence 

Article added: Tuesday 10 June 2025