This site is in memory of Martin Hudson, a man loved by his family, his friends and his patients. We invite people who were touched by Martin to share memories and tributes (especially including pictures), and to remember him by reading those of others.
Events
Public Remembrance Saturday, 13 June, 2026
A formal event in appreciation of Martin will be open to the public, followed by an informal celebration. All who would like to come and honour him are welcome. If you are not available to attend, or would otherwise like to express your tributes on this site, please use the form below).
GatheringCommemoration 12 Noon
We will have a formal commemoration outdoors on the land in Upper Moutere that was Martin's own piece of paradise, with a programme of speakers. Please allow time for parking and assembling at the site so that we can begin promptly at noon. (There is no formal dress code. Just dress warmly and be prepared for a sheep paddock!)
After the Commemoration, we will gather at the Moutere Inn to celebrate Martin with an afternoon of music and sharing stories. We would love to hear any further tributes, be they a toast, a poem, a song, a story, or something else entirely. All who would like to join in are warmly encouraged to do so and this will be coordinated at the time. There will be food provided, a keg of Martin's favourite beer (with a pouring fee), and other drinks available for purchase.
To facilitate planning the commemoration, please let us know if you will be joining us:
For further updates as we approach the date, please watch this space.
LocationMartin's Special Place, Lower Moutere
Come up Braeburn Road, continue on to Kirkwood Road and signs will direct you to parking. Please don't come up our driveway as it won't get you there and there's no space to turn around!
A Modest Suggestion: Traveling in a carpool will help to minimise the impact on both the land and the environment.
Please Note: The commemoration will be held in a marquee on the grass, but there may be overflow outside the marquee, so please come prepared:
BRING A CHAIR, and extra seating if you have it for others. Bench chairs would be helpful; if you have these available, we could arrange pickup at the number below.
Consider sun protection (especially sunglasses) as we may be directed toward the sun.
Footwear: The event is on farmland; after parking you will need to walk for about 2 minutes over grassy, potentially muddy sheep paddock.
Accessibility: The site also involves uneven ground and a short hill. We will be looking into alternative parking for those who need more direct access. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need special assistance.
All matters of contribution and coordination may be addressed by contacting Faye Hudson via WhatsApp at +64-27-363-9862, or by email at fayedhudson@yahoo.co.nz.
Giving
In Lieu of Flowers
If you feel moved to make a tangible tribute, in lieu of flowers the family invite you
to consider contributing to an organization whose work was most meaningful
to Martin: a humanitarian organization like
Save the Children
(donation link here) or an environmental one like
Forest & Bird New Zealand
(donation link here).
Gallery
Scenes from a rich life
We hope you will help make this a place to record your memories and pictures onto this site by submitting them below.
Full moon at Totaranui.
Celebrating with the family.
Working the property.
Tributes
Voices from the people who knew him
Memories and tributes shared by those who knew Martin.
Martin was the smartest and kindest man I've known, and a great doctor! Very caring and fun to be around.
I'm so sad he is no longer with us. RIP
I am Michele's brother, and have known Martin since we were both at the Grange Junior School in Letchworth Garden City - early 1960s. HIs brother, Stephen was in my year and Martin was the cheeky younger brother. Later, when he married my sister, I got to know him as one of the kindest and gentlest men you will ever meet.
Here's my story. For some reason, my (and Michele's) mother, Gilberte was…
Martin was always so gentlemanly. He clearly loved his family deeply. He seemed radiant on Wednesday surrounded by family, tidying up the land he clearly loved so much. My sincere condolences go to Michéle on loosing her very special partner and his daughters Faye and Rose, and also the wider family.
Love both Michelle and Martin’s humour but his Mick Jagger impressions are highly memorable .
I’ll never forget the epic Three Man Reel at the Mussel Inn under the joyful influence of Captain Cooker Manuka beer!! Or sitting in the garden at Neudorf wines having a Pinot Noir - all with friends and family. Great memories with a good man
I remember one Christmas we had an impromptu sing off. Martin launched into ‘Industrial Disease’ and to my surprise he knew every word. Condolences to Michelle, Faye & Rose. Thank you for being a wonderful family doctor and times shared with our whanau.
I had known Martin for decades as a colleague, but as we both approached retirement we shared some really special times as friends. My introduction to the Moffballs and biking was all down to Martin. I am shocked how few photos we have taken to record all this. Beautiful bike rides around the Moutere, followed by pie and coffee and putting the whole world to rignts. Meals and pints of great…
Martin was my family Dr and present at my son's birth, although by the time he got there Kieran was on his way out.
Martin was the most caring, kind guy. I always rang ahead to see how late he was running. because he cared and never rushed you.
such a privilege to know you Martin. RIL 💕💕
Over my 16 years in Motueka I had the privilege of working with and alongside Martin during PRIME calls. No matter what the situation or time of day . Always putting the patient first, nothing was ever a problem. Your last call has been answered, rest in peace. Thank you for your service
Saw Martin strumming at Moutere pub recently. Wished now I had the chance to talk but it was too busy. We remember when you both came to Motueka and started renting the farm house at 2 Queen Victoria St.
We offer our deepest sympathy for your loss. He was a fine man.
Goodbye old friend. None of us realised that our goodbye when we visited in March would be the last one. We're so glad now that we arranged that visit. We're torn between sadness and shock at the suddenness of your passing and happiness that you picked such a great way to make your exit.
It's over 40 years since we met when we were doing paediatrics together in Northampton. They were happy times,…
As a regular musician at the Moutere Inn Folk Nights I regularly saw and spoke to Martin. He always warmly greeted me and was easy to talk to, he also bid a fond farewell at the end of the evening. It is no surprise to me that he was a very popular doctor. I occasionally used to glance at him as we played our songs and tunes, and he often had a huge beaming smile on his face (especially when…
Steve and I so enjoyed those pot luck gatherings and movie nights. Special times. RIP Martin
Kia kaha Hudson whanau
When my family and I moved to New Zealand a quarter century ago, Martin heard about my woeful history fishing and immediately resolved to fix that by taking me on a helicopter on a multi-day expedition to the Crow River in Kahurangi. He did indeed get me a fish, and was an unflagging cheerleader throughout, despite his marginal left leg.
We were both reliable members on rides with the Mothball…
I am so sad to learn of Martin's sudden (and much too soon) death.I extend my thoughts and sympathy to Michele, Faye abd Rose.
We shared many happy times in Northampton and when you settled into your home and Motueke community. Go well and rest in peace Martin.
We remember Martin as a warm, kind and patient man, always with time for a chat and wise advice. He had a zest for life with his love of music and the outdoors. His untimely death is a shocking loss to our community and we can only imagine the huge gap he leaves in your family, Michele, Faye and Rose. Much love to you all.
Martin Hudson was an amazing doctor and man. It is sad to hear of his passing. He was my GP during troubled times in my life back in the 90’s. He had a way with words to make a person feel valued. He had a very Unique ability to Quickly understand a situation. I am Forever grateful to him for for the compassion and kindness he showed. Huge condolences to his whanau.
Treasured memories of Dr Martin from the Greenwood Health photo archives
He Mihi Aroha mō Martin
“E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kuku te kererū.”
The tūī chatters, the kākā cackles, the woodpigeon coos.
Our memories with Martin are beautiful melodies, deeply etched into the landscape of our connection to Faye. Martin brought his own unique warmth into our lives, weaving a bond that time and loss can never diminish.
We will forever cherish the days spent at…
It was at our regular Friday lunchtime meeting of Nelson hospital medical staff and local GPS that following the presentation a tall GP with a cultured Oxbridge accent stood and introduced himself as being a locum in Murchison. He made erudite and very significant contribution to the meeting which at the time impressed me.
it was not long after that Dr Don Budge retired and Martin Hudson became my…
I was very sad to hear of Martin’s death; I had been hoping to meet up with him again, having resumed email contact, after a very long interval.
We both started Medicine at Queens’ College, Cambridge in September 1976. I remember the first day on the rugby ground, when much to my amazement Martin went off with the backs! Hitherto my experience of people of his size was that they always played in…
Fond memories. when we were about 10 or 12 our dad bought a dormobile complete with elevating roof.
We all liked Fishing and Sailing. On one occasion we all went off to South Wales near Saint Davids Pembrokeshire which is the smallest city in the UK.
We had a great long weekend Fishing and Sailing. One morning Martin caught a very nice seabass which we all had for tea that evening on the…
He was always a thoughtful person, a wonderful host, and a genuinely caring friend. His wit and humour kept us laughing, on many occasions.
He was a great companion on countless bike rides, events, and family camping trips to Totaranui. We shared many hours on the water chasing fish, and he was always great company. As a fellow Moffball, he never missed a Sunday ride followed by a BBQ—such great…
I am deeply shocked & saddened to hear of Martin’s sudden passing.
I always respected and admired hos quick witted sense of humour, generosity and compassion - always wanting the best for everyone and offering help/support to those in need.
He will be dearly missed - the great & positive things he did won’t be forgotten.
Rest easy, Martin.
Martin, a great neighbour for many years and a friend. So many special times in group parties and gatherings.
As a neighbour I remember helping Michele to try and pull Martins leg out of a post hole he had dug. The joys of a small farming
Janet
I first met Martin when we were junior doctors in the A&E department at Petrograd (Peterborough). We become close friends and shared many years of fun. Much of this time was spent playing cricket. Martin was by far the best bowler in the local league having been the scary fast opening bowler for Hertfordshire. He was exceptional at many things but especially enjoying life and never shirking from a…
He Mihi Aroha mō Martin
“E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kuku te kererū.”
The tūī chatters, the kākā cackles, the woodpigeon coos.
Our memories with Martin are beautiful melodies, deeply etched into the landscape of our connection to Faye. Martin brought his own unique warmth into our lives, weaving a bond that time and loss can never diminish. We will forever cherish the days spent at the…
I first met Martin in the Autumn of 1976 as Freshmen at Queens” College, Cambridge embarking on our medical careers. Martin was a keen sportsman whereas I only dabbled however the collegiate system bound the ten medics at Queens’ together. Michele was a regular visitor to College in those days but it was only in recent years that I learnt that they had known each other since Primary School!
My…
We came to Motueka in 2006 with our young and growing family. I was a GP trainee at the time. We have never left.
Martin and Michele were so generous to us when we arrived. Thank you.
I think to some degree Martin and I found in each other kindred spirits.
He helped teach me the intricacies of rural General Practice, the art of using a chainsaw to round up gnarly Moutere old man pine and gum, how…
2018 sailing in Greece. Great times together. Uncle Martin telling nephew Justin the knotted hanky was his “anti-melanoma device.”
Took his anti-melanoma device to Spain.
This is first tribute I have written.
I met Martin when on the 'house' at QA in Portsmouth. From February 1983 through the summer we had a swimming pool and a lenient rota of 1:2. Martin's zest for life had a huge impact on that time. We all became addicted to a local potion called HSB and we didn't care where the hops came from.
Hops to Yops.
On my earliest visit Nuedorf wine was the talk, and I…
What a wonderful man! Intelligent, kind and interested in what was going on. Whether it was my laying music, or my wife telling stories, Martin would absolutely encourage us.
I smile when I think of him, while still being sad that he is no longer here.
Michele, Faye and Rosie ....... this tribute is to you. The unconditional behind the scene pillars of support to this remarkable, conscientious, hard working, fun loving gentle giant. He has touched so many lives and leaves you with a life time of memories.
The MOFFBALLS came in to being in the 1990's and began with very ordinary leg-powered "treadlers" . Martin loved to get outdoors and enjoy the open air; rain , hail or shine .We biked up the Baton , the Pearce , Rocky River ,down the Rameka , up Jacob's ladder to Green hill lookout .Hudders always gave orders as to how the ride would proceed .Afterwards he enjoyed the BBQ , beer and banter with…
The quintessential Englishman and doctor we all wish was ours. Martin was a humourous raconteur of anecdotes and lived experiences. A man with empathy and concern for all those he crossed paths with. We are all the poorer in his passing. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Michèle, Faye and Rose at this time.
Lorraine Mullings & Mike Friend (friends)
So many wonderful memories over the years of my lovely brother in law that I found it very difficult to condense my sadness into a few lines but I wrote a little poem to remember just a few. Also the picture is dads Queen's College in Cambridge.
What to say about Martin well where do I begin?
He loved watching cricket Chris sitting next to him.
His loving wife Michelle always by his side…
I’m so sorry to hear about Martin’s untimely death but it is some consolation that he was in a place he loved so much. I first met Martin as a houseman in Portsmouth back in 1983. Right from the start he was a larger than life character, full of fun and risks but also kind and caring. He lived life to the full, whether it was downing pints of the local HSB (highly suicidal bitter), playing sport…
Holiday in Spain 2016. ❤️
Here are a few of my favs. The last one was taken at Lords xx
Visiting the lodge with Gemma and Isla 2016
Dear Michelle, Fay and Rose,
We miss Martin, and our thoughts are with you at such a sad time.
And Martin — thanks for everything.
When we started as GPs we were green, and you were kind and patient.
A mentor who shone light on what mattered: people.
Patients, and colleagues, knew they were in safe hands.
You were also gentle, considerate, tolerant of stumbles, incredible with staff…
your…
I can’t claim to have known Martin well or for very long but he did impress me as a kind and decent man. All but two of our meetings took place at Krys and Steve’s movie nights where he would make a point of coming to talk to me. Our conversations were primarily social but would often include a book recommendation from Martin. Many years after we last met I still have Jarred Diamond’s ‘Gun’s,…
I am so saddened to hear of Martin’s passing. Spending time with the Hudson family was such a happy time of my childhood and Martin was such a special friend to my parents as well. I remember Martin making jokes, laughing and sharing delicious meals. Sending lots of love to Michele, Faye and Rose, you have all been on my mind a lot.
I have the happiest memories of family holidays with the Hudson’s - skiing in Wānaka, camping in Tōtaranui, weekends at their house in the Moutere. I will always remember Martin’s sense of humour and his good nature putting up with the endless shenanigans of Faye and I. Martin was so loved by all the McKenzie-Pollock’s and was like a second dad to me. My thoughts are with you Faye, Rose and…
I am so sorry to hear about Martin’s passing! He was so funny and kind and I always loved visiting his beautiful home growing up. I also have many memories of fun holidays with both our families All my love goes out to Rose, Faye, and Michele.
So saddened and shocked to hear of Martin’s passing .
He made me feel very welcome when I first met him at Greenwood Health, and he was always very generous,supportive and great fun to be around.
I’m sure he will be enjoying a refreshing pint of something delicious at the great pub in the sky.
Martin..cheers mate.
Martin was in his third year when I arrived at college. So very much a grown up, especially with his manly beard. I recall him being friendly and generous-spirited. My abiding memory is coming back into college late one Sunday night to find the Kangaroo Treasure Hunt in full swing. Amidst the general chaos Martin stood out. I think he was President that year. Whatever, at some point he took…
Martin was used by God and helped save my life from Non Hodgkinson Lymphona and he was the man that diagnosed me of Shingles an Amazing Dr.Thankyou Martin.
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