Suzuki New Zealand’s recently-promoted executive general manager of motorcycle, marine and after-sales, Simon Meade, died on Saturday morning, May 18, following a motor vehicle crash.
The accident occurred near Turakina, about halfway between his home base of Whanganui and Palmerston North.
Simon Meade leaves behind his wife, Jenny, and three children. He was 57 years old.
Well-liked and well-respected among the motorcycling fraternity and also within the competitive water-skiing community, colleagues and friends alike remember him as a dedicated and focused individual who made many significant contributions to the industry and to motorcycle racing and water-skiing too.
The accomplished former motocross and cross-country racer, with roots in the Manawatu Orion Motorcycle Club, had more than 25 years of service as an executive within the Suzuki company based in Whanganui.
Suzuki New Zealand’s Simon Meade, a popular figure within the New Zealand motorcycling community. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Simon Meade had been instrumental in overseeing many aspects of motorcycle racing in New Zealand, the popular annual Suzuki International Series – which includes the iconic Cemetery Circuit street races each Boxing Day – one of the jewels in the crown for top-grade motorcycle racing in this country.
He was also instrumental in the advent of the GIXXER Cup Suzuki series, a competition created to form a nursery ground for fledgling motorcycle road-racers and responsible for inspiring and kick-starting the road-racing careers for many young individuals who have since gone on to greater things nationally and internationally too.
Outside of work, he enjoyed outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, water skiing, and mountain biking.
In 2018, Simon Meade took on the responsibility for Suzuki’s marine division when Suzuki New Zealand regained national distribution rights for its outboard motors.
He viewed this as a positive development for Whanganui, appointing Whanganui Engineering and Marine as a dealer and overseeing the first Suzuki outboard sale to the local coastguard unit.
A key member of the Whanganui Water Ski Club, Simon Meade was also a very good skier, nationally-ranked boat driver, tournament chief driver, coach, coaching director, chief mechanic for the boat maintenance, among other roles and he would do it all with immense humour and kindness.
Simon Meade would share his knowledge, equipment, boat but most of all and the most precious, his time.
Thoughts are with Simon Meade’s family and his friends. He was a giant of a man and a very special person who will not be forgotten.
© Words and photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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