Paul Holmes' mother dies

Paul Holmes said that the decline of his mother's health had accelerated in the past 10 days. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Chrissie Hobson, the mother of veteran broadcaster Paul Holmes, died yesterday, aged 85.

Holmes told the Herald last night that the decline of his mother's health had accelerated in the past 10 days.

"She died in her armchair very quickly," he said.

"It is a blessed relief."

Holmes said he and his wife Deborah had offered to look after her as she became unwell but she had declined the offer.

"She had a real belief that she should be able to live in her house until the very end."

Holmes said it was fortunate that he was in Hawkes Bay, where his mother lived, after being called there on a family matter on Sunday.

He said a district nurse had found his mother in her chair at 11.30am yesterday. The nurse called a doctor, who called Holmes.

"We went in and when I found Mum, she was still warm and I kissed her on the head."

Holmes said he then called his mother's best friend, and the group sat with his mother and talked.

TVNZ said in a statement: "All Kiwis are probably aware of the very, very special bond Paul had with his mother Chrissie and we pass on our most sincere condolences to the entire Holmes family at this time."