Luitjen BIERINGA Obituary

Dear Jan, I am so late to learn of Luit's death and send my sympathy to you and your family. I was at Selwyn College in Auckland in 1969 in my first year as a teacher, and remember Luit as a most interesting and interested person. I was not surprised to learn of the path his career took after that. His passing is great loss to us all. With sincere regards, Margaret Gordon.

Luit, you were a truely great Wellingtonian who had a unique and insightful view of our country and its place in the world. Your important films will live on forever as examples of your perspective and contribution to our community.Enjoyed creating a couple of major Exhibitions together, talking about local and national politics, discussing and watching football, plus enjoying some craft beer. You will be sadly missed by many. Arohanui

It was always a pleasure to discuss life's verities and mysteries with Luit when I ran into him in the Courtenay Place precinct. Few had a wiser take on Wellington's - and Aotearoa's - triumphs and 'could have done better's than that wise and wry man. Another little-but-huge memory is the tribute he paid to Dr Ian Prior at the funeral of that great patron of the arts - Luit on his cellphone in St Paul's, pretending to be talking to God about Ian .... inspired, brilliant - so creative. Perhaps he really had a hotline to the Almighty. The whales will thank Luit, and all the arts, and I join with them in tribute, with great aroha to Jan & the family.

Herzliches Beileid to Jan and whanau and many thanks for the fabulous support, expertise and friendship from you and Luit - starting in the 80s when the Goethe-Institut was new in New Zealand, and Luit was director of the National Art Gallery, and continuing in so many ways - not least through those wonderful films about Peter McLeavey, Gordon Tovey and Theo Schoon

My Love and Sympathy to you Jan and all your lovely family. A time of sorrow for the passing of a lovely husband, father and grandfather. Luit will missed so much by you all. With very much love from Shirl.

Dear Jan and family,
So sorry for your loss!
My sincere condolences.
I have lovely memories to having been involved in projects with both you and Luit during my time at the Netherlands Embassy.
Thinking of you! Christine

Much love and thanks Luit for your wonderful contribution to our country

I came across Luit one morning fishing off the rocks at Greta Point. He talked about the big kingies that might be out there and thought that the signs were promising. I said we must go fishing together sometime.
I´m not sure if there were kingies out there and we didn´t go fishing together.. but the possibility was very real and the meeting very memorable. Like a good storey.
Thanks Luit.

Another National Treasure has gone...we can ill afford him to go. Luit, where are you, we need you to carry making those wonderful films and rude emails that I always looked forward too.If you've gone back to stardust well that's ok and you certainly deserve the rest....you've done enough.

Great memories of a wonderful and inspirational man. A full life that touched many. This country is the richer for Luit having made his mark