Paul Gay

Paul Ernest Gay was a New Zealand educator and nature studies specialist from Invercargill whose quiet persistence helped give generations of Southland school children a first, unforgettable encounter with the wilderness of Fiordland. For more than four decades he led the Deep Cove Hostel, the outdoor education centre at the head of Doubtful Sound, and in the 2019 New Year Honours he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to outdoor education.

Gay's working life was rooted in school science and natural history. He believed passionately that the natural world was something every child should know at first hand. "That's been one of my driving forces," he told the Otago Daily Times in 2019. "I believe it's part of our world that children should get to know."

In 1971 a Deep Cove Hostel committee was formed to bring together the Southland Education Board, the region's intermediate and secondary schools, the Department of Education and the Fiordland National Park Board. Gay became its convener and chairman, and later chaired the Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust, roles he held from 1971 until 2014. Over those years he worked tirelessly to keep the trust on a sound financial footing and to make sure that schools throughout Southland made full use of the facility. The centre grew into an award winning complex with a marine laboratory and accommodation, and by the time of his honour it had hosted about 120,000 children, parents and teachers. It also became a valued resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students. In recognition of his service the trust made him an Honorary Trustee for Life.

He was characteristically modest about his medal, which he received at an investiture at Government House in Wellington on 1 May 2019. "It was a bit of a surprise because I'm just part of the Deep Cove Outdoor Education team," he said, adding that many others had given their time and that it was great for Southland and the national parks system that the venture had been recognised.

Outside his work, Gay was a man of strong Christian faith. His family remembered his wit, his love of God and of other people, his passion for nature and his keen sense of adventure.

Paul Gay died on 22 October 2026, aged 92, after several months of illness. He was the husband of Dawn and the father of Matthew, Jeannette and Blair, and is also survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren. A funeral service was arranged for Thursday 29 October 2026 at Hope Chapel in Hornby, Christchurch, followed by a private cremation.