Last Updated on 2 months ago by Vijay Kumar
Shane Christie, rugby union player, who has tragically passed away at the age of 39. Authorities confirmed that Christie was found at his home in Nelson on Wednesday ( 27 August 2025 ). His death has been referred to the coroner, and early reports suggest it is a suspected suicide. He was suffering from a degenerative brain disorder. In his funeral, hundreds of people attended on 2 September.
Who was Shane Christie?
Christie, born in Palmerston North in 1985, rose to prominence as a hard-working loose forward. He captained Tasman Mako to an ITM Cup Championship in 2013 and played a key role in the Highlanders’ historic 2015 Super Rugby title victory, serving as co-captain during the season. Over his career, Christie represented the Crusaders, Highlanders, All Blacks Sevens, and Māori All Blacks, earning respect for his relentless work ethic and leadership.
However, Christie’s playing career came to an abrupt end in 2018 due to complications from repeated concussions. The former flanker became a strong advocate for brain health in rugby, co-founding the Billy Guyton Foundation after his close friend and teammate died by suicide in 2023 and was later diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Christie publicly expressed his intention to donate his brain for research to help future players avoid the devastating effects of head injuries.
In interviews, Christie spoke candidly about the challenges he faced post-retirement, including headaches, memory issues, and mood swings—symptoms linked to his history of concussions. “It feels like a bruise in your head that never heals,” he said in one of his last conversations about player welfare.
He played his last match in 2016 and ended his rugby career in 2018 due to due to the effects of more concussions. His friend rugby player Billy Guyton passed away on 15 May 2023 at the age of 33. According to New Zealand media, Guyton died from suicide.
Tasman Mako captain David Havili said, “What made Shane so special and unique is the way he could connect with anyone from any walk of life. Whether you had been in the team for one or 10 years, he treated you with respect and always found time to know you as a person.”
Holly Parkes, Shane Christie’s former partner and close friend, shared how he endured the debilitating effects of repeated concussions for nearly a decade. She recalled moments when he was bent over in agony, describing the pain in his head as though his brain was an electrical circuit misfiring—sharp shocks and an unrelenting ache he could never escape.
Parkes expressed her deep sorrow, wishing she could have stopped him from taking those heavy hits during his rugby career, saying she would have done anything—rushed onto the field, pleaded with him to walk away just to protect the man whose warmth, smile, and spirit meant so much more than the game.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
