Nic Russell: former friend to Nigel Latta pays tribute to deceased psychologist and author

Nigel Latta's being remembered for his sage parenting advice.

The clinical psychologist, author and broadcaster died yesterday - aged 58 - after being diagnosed with stomach cancer a year ago.

He's survived by his wife Natalie Flynn and five children and stepchildren.

Friend Nic Russell says says his parenting books have had a wide ranging impact.

"I definitely think a whole generation of Kiwis have been raised on his wise words of wisdom, really."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Of course, the news today is that Nigel Latter has

(00:02):
passed away at the age of fifty eight after a
battle with gastric cancer. Now Nigel was known for his
work on parenting and healthy eating. He fronted shows like
The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show and Is Sugar Than New Fat.
He was also the ambassador for Kenzie's Gift, which is
a charity that supports children and families affected by death.
Nick Russell is the founder of Kenzi's Gift and a
friend of Nigel Latter.

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hei Nick, Hi, hother, how are you?

Speaker 1 (00:23):
I'm very well, thank you. Tough news for you today.
I'd imagine it was.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
Very tough news. It's very such for everyone concerned that
knew in the massing Man that nigelata was. So it's
our heart's really great today to has to family on
this loved ones, because they will be doing it really
tough and the times I had, so our heart's really
with them today.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
Nick, am I right in thinking this was completely unexpected
because while he had cancer, he's sort of he was
under the impression he had years.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
I mean that was I mean, it's always unexpected when
it comes and I think gets and you just never
know what when you're living with cancer, what will occur?
So while it might be unexpected, you know, it's it's
the nature of living with you know, incurable cancer. We
just don't know what it's going to turn out. So
unfortunately for Nigel and his family it's it's come all

(01:17):
too soon and for all of us that it's going
to be shocked by his death today. So yeah, it's
it's it's hard, but that, unfortunately is the nature for
living with this awful illness.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
Now, look, how did you how did he get involved
with your your charity?

Speaker 2 (01:32):
Well, I set up Kensy's Gift after my little one
died back in two thousand and five, and I sit
up in two thousand and eight and it's seen and
heard Nigel. He had done a couple of his parenting talks,
and he loved his forthrightness, his honesty, his pragmatism, and
I thought, I'd love to have Nagel as the ambassador
and where such a little charity. He would just really
help us, you know, alone, And so I emailed them,

(01:56):
not expecting that you know, a celebrity and well known
kai such as Nigel would ever get back to me,
and he did, and we went and met for a
coffee at his favorite cafe in Mount Aiden, and we
had a chat and for about an hour, and and
that relationship was born from there, really, And it wasn't
until the years and later that he told me Nick

(02:17):
had actually planned and saying no, but when I got there,
when we sat down, I couldn't. And and thank god
he didn't. And and because when we met, actually he
said to me, Nick, do you really want me? He said,
because I I say things that offend people, and and
and people can be quite critical of some of the
things I say. I said, you said, as Nigel, And yeah,
I really we really wanted him on board, and yeah,

(02:41):
and and he joined and the rest is history. Really
an amazing, amazing man. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
How many parents do you Reckon raised his raise their
kids on his books?

Speaker 2 (02:52):
Oh gosh, I think probably a whole generation.

Speaker 1 (02:55):
Have you got?

Speaker 2 (02:57):
I do have one. It's you know, and and raisings
as well, like my son's No. Twenty five and some
of his talks where we've been to we've got some
seget base from Nigel about raising said boys. And yeah,
I definitely think a whole generation of Keyes have been
raised on his wise words of wisdom.

Speaker 1 (03:15):
Really yeah yeah, Nick, thanks very much, really appreciate it.
Nick Russell, Kenzie's Gift founder and fringe of friend of
Nigel latter I.

Speaker 2 (03:22):
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Speaker 1 (03:25):
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