Photographer Andy Belcher passes away

Andy Belcher, legendary photographer and one of the foremost underwater camera experts worldwide, has passed away at home in Maketu surrounded by family after a long illness.

The much-loved partner of Annie, devoted father to Ben and Ocean and their fathers Christina and Nicholas, and grandfather of seven, won 82 top photographic awards during his career, including British Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Australasian Underwater Photographer of the Year and Nikon Photo Contest International.

A service to celebrate Andy's life will be held at 11am on Friday 30th January 2026, at Legacy Papamoa, 53 Te Okuroa Drive, Papamoa. There is a livestream that can be viewed and tributes left at https://www.legacyfunerals.co.nz/funerals?search=belcher.

"He wanted us to celebrate his life with colour, good music and cool cars, so make sure you wear a bright coloured piece of clothing, and if you have an awesome car then bring it up and park up front so Dad can hear it," reads the message from Ben and Ocean.

Andy's family wish to thank the team at Waipuna Hospice for the care and respect shown to Andy. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated and may be left at https://waipunahospice.org.nz/donate/

Over the coming weeks, Dive Pacific will be running a series of features celebrating Andy, and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.