Julian Carver, the former chief information officer at CERA, died unexpectedly.
Julian Carver, the former chief information officer at CERA, died unexpectedly.
Two investigations are underway into the death of a highly respected data expert with Christchurch's earthquake recovery authority.
Father of two Julian Carver, the former chief information officer at CERA, died unexpectedly at a psychiatric hospital in Christchurch on January 2 aged just 44.
The matter is now under investigation by both the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) and the Coroner.
CDHB chief medical officer Dr Sue Nightingale said it was carrying out a Serious Incident Review to ascertain the facts.
"The review will identify whether there are changes we need to make to our systems and processes that could have prevented this sad outcome," she said.
Friends have organised a memorial gathering in Wellington tonight where they plan to build a cairn down at a local beach.
Carver's funeral was held last week. He leaves behind two children, who will benefit from donations to a Givealittle page set up by his sister Anwen Holtshousen to fund their higher education.
"Julian Carver has always had a great love for his children, and a passion for education which he was taught by his beloved mother Judith," Holtshousen wrote on the page.
"He had a thirst for knowledge, and it would be important for him to know that his children are able to pursue education and experience in whatever form they choose."
Carver at CERA, explaining the plan for presenting quake information to the people of Canterbury in September 2011. Photo / CC-By, credit https://davelane.nz
Prior to his role at CERA, Carver founded three web software start-ups; and led several large shared services projects across central and local government; and helped develop New Zealand's Declaration on Open and Transparent Government.
On a Facebook memorial page, dozens of friends left tributes for the man with the "sharp brain" and passion for his work.
"Ah, Julian. Too soon, man, too soon. I wish I'd been a better friend, that I'd have known to reach out when you needed it. You always seemed so strong and sure, that I never thought to check. Arohanui, you big, bad pacifist, you," wrote Mark Harris.
Damian Brown said: "You always had such a sharp brain, and were so passionate about open data ... I will miss our regular coffee catch ups and discussions on government, christchurch rebuilds, reminiscing on our days at CERA, and many other topics. You have gone too early mate. This is very sad and a little too hard to comprehend. Bye bro, I wished I had told you what a damn good bloke I thought you were."
Another friend, Scott Tansley, posted Carver's favourite phrase, promising to keep it alive.
"A picture saves a thousand words, a map saves a million!"
