Margaret Ann Bedggood

14 September 2026

Dear Margaret, was so kind and welcoming to her Catholic brothers and sisters. I will remember her for her warmth and generosity, treating everyone as someone who mattered. Rest in peace dear Franciscan sister.

Karen Sturge

14 September 2026

Margaret was the one person who believed in me when no one else did. She was my supervisor for my PhD but she was much more, her kindness and caring along with her wisdom and astute knowledge she imparted on us all. Thank you so much for all you did for your students, staff and for all who knew you. Moe mae ra e rangatira, may you rest in the arms of your tipuna

Dr Huhana Hickey MNZM

14 September 2026

I went to St Annes Private primary school with Margaret,she was always the brightest in the class and always happy to help ,many times I availed myself with maths .We all had Birthday parties and many happy times were shared.

Pamela Lawson Wilde

14 September 2026

A blessing to have known Margaret. We fellowshipped together with CSF at Carlton Gore, and later, she supported my in my photography by buying the first three prints I ever had enlarged and framed. Rest in peace, Margaret.

Brother Andrew TSSF

14 September 2026

I was in a book club with Margaret over a couple of years—a little gathering of women ministers, priests, chaplains and theologians. I loved her laughter, wisdom and kindness. She is sorely missed — our gathering was so much richer for her presence. Be held in the palm of God’s hand, dear Margaret.

Yael Cameron

14 September 2026

I was privilged to work with Margaret for many years - in Amnesty International and the NZ Human Rights Foundation. "Human rights" often comes across as "legal", but Margaret was always driven by the "human", and indeed that is why she studied law in the first place. And what an extraordinary human being Margaret was: passionate, kind, and driven by love of others. She gave me extraordinary support during difficult times, and I will miss her gentle but forthright counsel.

Ced Simpson

14 September 2026

I remember Margaret with warmth from my time in Dunedin as a student, where we came into contact attending All Saints Church. I found the death notice by accident. RIP, go with God.

Margaret Thompson

13 September 2026

Margaret supervised me during my LLM Hons at Waikato in 2000 and she was one of my PhD supervisors from 2002-2007. Margaret was a very special academic: kind, caring, empathetic, with a strong social conscience. She gently encouraged me, she guided me through my LLM dissertation on economic sanctions and human rights and she encouraged me to commence a PhD. I felt so sad to read this news: what a loss. I kept meaning to get in touch with Margaret again to let her know how much she meant to me. What a wonderful human being. I’m privileged to have known her and I hope she knew how much I appreciated her. I offer my condolences to her family at this very sad time.

Dr Myra Williamson

12 September 2026

I succeded Margaret as Chief Commissioner of the NZ Human Rights Commission. Her legacy included the new Human Rights Act 1994 extending not only the remedies for breaches but extending the protection of the Act to People with Disabilities and those of different Sexual Orientations. Internationally her role as the only women on the newly established International Committee of National Human Rights Organisations and her carrying the portfolio of rights for all Women

Pamela Jefferies OBE

12 September 2026

I was a student of Professor Bedggood in the University of Oxford Summer School in Theology through the Graduate Theological Foundation in 2005. She was a most delightful and thorough teacher who challenged her students to think more globally and to examine more critically their own religious and theological contexts. She and I communicated only briefly after that time of instruction, but her words of wisdom and encouragement have remained with me. I was going through my phone contacts today and, as I remembered her with dearness, thought to look her up on the internet only to learn of her recent passing. I am saddened but also deeply grateful to God for having known Margaret. Knowing something of her faith in God and humanitarian work, my prayer to God is for the comfort and peace of her family and friends as you remember and celebrate her life and the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus. God be with you all.

Ore Spragin