Tributes are flowing for the award-winning reporter, who spent 20 years working for TV3, covering countless stories and presenting the news.
His daughter Sacha McNeil is also a well-known journalist and news presenter in New Zealand.
Yesterday she shared a touching tribute for her father, saying after a “long, brave but always good-humoured battle with Alzheimer’s, he called time when he was ready”.
“As The Beatles pointed out ‘... in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make’,” she wrote on Instagram.
He then travelled to the UK and worked as a teacher in London before returning to New Zealand – and eventually to the news.
He worked in radio for many years but will be best remembered for his work on TV3, starting with the channel just before it went to air in 1989 until his retirement at the end of 2010.
McNeil was married to Jeanette and they have three children.
Bob McNeil and daughter Sacha. Photo / Janna Dixon
Sacha McNeil told the Herald she could see why her father had such an impact on his audience over the years.
“I think because people could relate to this small-town boy from Taranaki who fought for the underdog and had a glint in his eye. He was genuine, he loved people, and he loved hearing their stories. His warmth was evident on the telly,” she said.
“He had the ability to celebrate the absurd and yet bring empathy and decency to those he interviewed.”
McNeil’s enthusiasm and passion for the news easily inspired his daughter to follow in his footsteps.
“He made it look fun and challenging and he was excited to go to work every day,” Sacha said.
“His curiosity about people and the story below the surface revealed to me, through journalism, he could make a difference in the world.”
Her wider family also found inspiration in Bob McNeil.
“Our family learned early on that humour was often the best course of action,” she explained.
“Like watching your dad tell the nation on live TV he’d run out of clean undies so he had turned them inside out, while on a long-running assignment.”
McNeil had been in a care home for seven years and his daughter said it was “nice to think” he was “not uncomfortable any more”.
News of McNeil’s death was shared on social media and tributes have been posted from his former colleagues and friends.
Broadcaster and journalist John Campbell said McNeil “so loved his job”.
“Raced out the door – always with that sparkle in his eyes. Loved the crews, the editors, but most of all, the people who trusted him with their stories. What a wonderful journalist. And a very lovely man,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Former broadcaster Eric Young spoke of his “great joy” of working with McNeil.
“He was never anything but a class act. At a time when TV journalism sometimes took itself a bit seriously, Bob was always open to absurdity. There is no question of his influence,” he posted.
McNeil argues with a Māori warden outside Te Tii marae after all non-Māori media were banned from ceremonies at Waitangi in 2003. Photo / Alan Gibson
1 News reporter Barbara Dreaver said McNeil was “a damn fine journo and a gentleman”.
“One of the kindest, most genuine journos with such great wit. RIP Bob and much love to Sacha and family,” said journalist Karen Rutherford.
And television and radio reporter Donna-Marie Lever said: “Very sad news. Always so lovely in the field and a class act.”
Former journalist-turned-MP Jenny Marcroft was saddened to hear the news.
She described McNeil as “a journalist of high calibre and integrity”.
“A privilege to have worked with him at TV3. Sincere condolences to his family.”
Journalist, author and publisher Ian Wishart said McNeil was “TV’s Mr Nice Guy”.
“He first came to my attention as ZB afternoon host circa 1987, then we started at TV3 together in 1989. Respect,” he posted online.
Other former colleagues shared memories of McNeil on various platforms.
“A sad day indeed. A first dayer for TV3, a true original, a superb storyteller, and an excellent journalist who brought a visual creativity to his reporting that inspired others.
“Every stand-up was fresh and imaginative and enhanced the story. He was also great fun on assignments. Humorous and quick-witted,” said one.
Another wrote: “Bob was a wonderful colleague. Always up for anything … his stand-ups and sign-offs were legendary for their relevance, imagination and humour.
“Bob was the greatest storyteller ever … that guy could start an interview without the talent knowing they were being interviewed. I once changed tape during an interview with a lady who refused to be interviewed, but was being interviewed by Bob,” a former cameraman said.
“They broke the mould when Bob was born. Farewell my friend – you made a difference.”
And Leanne Malcom said she had “wonderful memories” of McNeil.
“Clever and funny, with a kind and gentle soul. A very tough last few years for him,” she wrote.
In 2014 McNeil published his memoir News Travels, telling the tales behind the stories he covered both at home and overseas.
In the book, McNeil shares that he had “travelled to enough countries to lose track of the number of passports he’s filled up”.
“The nature of television means you can’t just stay at home and do interviews over the phone, you have to pack your bags, pick up a bulky tripod and go to real places to meet real people ... and now retired there is time to tell some of the tales behind the stories,” the blurb stated.
“Bob has travelled to countless countries to report on issues as varied as disasters in the Pacific Islands, yacht races in Milan and aid projects in Africa. The images he sent back for the news were snapshots of things he saw in person, and often the stories of how he got the stories are just as colourful.
“From his childhood in Taranaki to his first overseas trip, to being shot at in Fiji and interviewing one of his heroes, Sir Edmund Hillary in Nepal, this book is a chronicle of the importance of stories and an ode to the characters who bring them to life.”
