Ferry-leap victim was Waiheke paper editor

Simon Johnston was 'very well-liked'. Photo / Supplied

A man who died after jumping off the Devonport ferry was Waiheke's newspaper editor who campaigned for island issues for more than 20 years.

Journalist and former Gulf News editor Simon Johnston, 53, died yesterday in North Shore Hospital, after suffering head injuries leaping from the boat in what police believe was an alcohol-related incident on Sunday.

Johnston, who had three daughters, opened the door of the ferry and leapt. He clung to the side of the boat but was knocked off by a wooden pillar as the boat emerged from the dock. He fell to the wharf below, suffering severe head injuries.

A former colleague, Gulf News publisher Liz Waters, told the Herald yesterday that staff at the newspaper were shocked at Johnston's death.

Johnston was editor twice at the newspaper, for which he had worked "on and off" for 20 years.

She said Johnston had a "great sense of humour and a passion for justice".

"He had a charm that was really quite extraordinary and that's probably what I think we'll be remembering - charm and humour," Ms Waters said.

She said he was "very well-liked" with a "very wide circle of friends".

"There will be huge regrets that he's not with us anymore. He was a totally excellent writer ... he was also a passionate advocate for island issues. He was a great raconteur - he could tell a very good story."

Ms Waters said Johnston was editor of the newspaper in 1988 when the publication attracted national and international media attention when it went "pirate" - being printed on a barge outside of Waiheke zoning in response to a rival newspaper's attempts to prevent the Gulf News' publication.

Ms Waters said Johnston was also a talented guitarist and singer and had played "everywhere" on the island and in many venues in Auckland.

She said the youngest of Johnston's three daughters was aged about 18.

She had not heard why Johnston may have leapt from the ferry.

"He often left his keys behind - it could be that simple."

Police say it remains unclear as to why Johnston tried to jump off the boat but confirmed last night that he had been drinking alcohol before the incident.

The matter has been referred to the coroner.