Statement from Deceased Backpacker’s Family

Statement from Deceased Backpacker’s Family

The life of New Zealand adventurer and businessman Warwick (Waz) White ended tragically in Hungary on Sunday, September 12.

The 48-year-old had just competed at the Triathlon ITU World Championships in Budapest. Hungary media reported that he was found on a city street in the early hours of Sunday morning after being stabbed. He passed away while being taken to hospital.

Waz will be sorely missed by his friends and family, including a son and daughter in Wellington, a grandson, his mother and sister in Christchurch, father in Levin and four nieces and nephews. His large network of worldwide friends is a testament to his easy going personality, love of fun and willingness to help others advance adventure sports.

Waz had spent most of the last eight years living in South America and Europe. He travelled extensively, setting up language schools and adventure programmes around the globe and developing property. Waz achieved excellence by winning the international LTM Star awards held in London in the category of Best New agency in 2006, being a finalist in 2007 and being short listed for Best Small Spanish School Latin America in 2009.

Before leaving New Zealand he had spent close to 15 years as a secondary school and tertiary teacher in Wellington and the Wairarapa as well as running several adventure tourism businesses, owning the Big Coast adventure race and sharing his passion for the outdoors and the adrenalin rush of sport.

Waz was a passionate sportsman and adventurer all his life, in particular loving running, climbing in New Zealand and Nepal, rafting and triathlon. He was in representative teams in Christchurch and Wellington as a school boy where he attended both Christchurch Boys High School and Wellington College. He also represented New Zealand in corporate triathlons in the 1980s.

When he died, Waz was representing Ecuador at the World Triathlon Championships in the 45-49 age group where he finished 38th in the men’s sprint event. He was due to return home to New Zealand to climb Mount Cook later this year.

Waz’s sister is travelling to Hungary and will bring him back to New Zealand once police release the body. His family are awaiting the results of an enquiry being conducted by police in Budapest.

Waz’s family requests that the media please respect their privacy at this tragic time.

ENDS

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