Malcolm Davie at the National Boards Retreat at Willow Park in October 2025.
Family and friends gathered at The Street Church in Wellington on Friday last week to celebrate the life of Malcolm Davie, who died on August 16 2026, aged 84 years.
Malcolm’s life was one marked by integrity, a deep Christian faith, dedication to work and service, and a commitment to helping others.
His long career in banking involved several significant high level projects, but he was equally generous with his knowledge and abilities in helping family, friends and organisations over many decades.
He was described as a superb administrator, diplomatic and remarkably calm under pressure, with a practical wisdom that made his advice highly valued. Alongside his intellect and professional achievements were his abiding faith, kindness, humility and humour, with family remaining central to his life.
Malcolm was the dearly loved husband of Robin; the loving father and father-in-law of Oliver and Heather, Charlotte and Adam; and the devoted grandfather of Jackson, Gabriella, Georgie, and Darcy.
Vivian Street Gospel Hall became Malcolm’s spiritual home after he moved to Wellington in the early 1960s. He valued its commitment to the Word of God, communion, worship, gospel outreach and missions. Malcolm served as an elder since the early 1970s, taking on significant administrative responsibilities including treasurer, secretary, chairman and oversight of the church’s properties.
Fellow Elder, Evan Tyler remembered Malcolm for his quiet faithfulness.
“Malcolm was always interested in people. He had a real knack at just coming alongside somebody quietly, introducing himself and just asking question after question, showing his interest. He wanted Vivian Street Gospel Hall to be a place where people would feel welcome and could grow in their faith. Malcolm loved the Lord and did much in His service.”
Malcolm also generously served a number of Christian organisations by offering his expertise, godly wisdom, and financial acumen. These included The Gideons NZ, and many trusts with Open Brethren Heritage, including Missionary Rehabilitation Fund, Johnsonvale Home Trust, and Stewards’.
With the Missionary Rehabilitation Fund, Malcolm served for 36 years. Fellow MRF Board Member John Barris valued Malcolm’s financial knowledge, wise counsel and careful stewardship.
“Malcolm was the go-to man on many matters. If you needed to know what to do, he knew. When it came to the Trust, Malcolm not only understood the letter of the Trust Deed, he also understood the spirit behind it… Malcolm understood love in deeds, faith in action, being open to the new when it is from God. I am, together with many missionaries, grateful for Malcolm's generosity, faithfulness, and stewardship.”
Malcolm served as a board member of the Johnsonvale Home Trust from 1988 until his death, including many years as secretary. Fellow Board Member Bruce Stormer detailed how Malcolm’s careful stewardship enabled the trust to make wise decisions, even hard ones like the decision to close the rest home. Malcolm helped manage and oversee this process well, enabling the trust to move into a new season.
“I believe this is just one example of many of what Malcolm's faithful service to God has achieved.”
Malcolm was involved with Stewards’ for more than 30 years, both as a member and then as an executive member, offering his banking experience and deep understanding of financial systems, property, insurance, interest rates and regulatory matters.
Stewards’ Chair, Stephen Munn, says Malcolm was valued for his careful advice and his patience in explaining complex legal and financial issues so that the wider executive could make informed decisions. He also helped Stewards respond to significant changes in the church landscape, including property redevelopment, financing, insurance and new regulatory requirements, while remaining focused on how these decisions could support the gospel and churches across the movement.
Malcolm represented Stewards’ on the InterChurch Bureau, helping the organisation navigate changes in charity and taxation legislation and sharing his understanding of these issues with others.
Stephen remembered Malcolm as a deeply spiritual man who always considered the ministry impact of decisions.
“Malcolm offered very thoughtful devotions and prayers on a regular basis at our meetings and we were better off having him with us and he will be sorely missed. There were a lot of changes to Stewards’ in the latter years of Malcolm's tenure… Malcolm was an interesting mix of the traditional and the innovative, and adjusted incredibly well to these transitions.”
His service with Stewards reflects the broader pattern of Malcolm’s life: he used considerable professional expertise in a quiet and practical way to strengthen Christian organisations, support churches and help steward resources faithfully.
Malcolm’s son, Oliver Davie, shared how grateful he was to witness his father’s faithful example.
“When I look at Dad's life, I see the life of quiet, consistent faithfulness to his family, to the people around him, and most of all, to the Lord. When I think about the way Dad used what God had entrusted him—his time, his skills, his resources, and the opportunities to serve others—the words that keep coming back to me are from Matthew 25 in the parable of the gold bags: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with few things and I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share. Come and share in your master's happiness.’”
Please join us in giving glory to God for the life of Malcolm Davie, and praying for Robin, Oliver, Charlotte and their families, along with the Vivian Street Gospel Hall fellowship, as they grieve this loss.
The above is adapted from Malcolm’s funeral service. To view the full service: https://www.youtube.com/live/3qZxJkF646o?si=25-Tq5MWLk4AThm2
