Norman Edward Tate

As a child, Auckland-born Tate, witnessed a troupe of Japanese jugglers that sparked an interest which would turn into a life-long career and calling for entertaining others. He became an amateur dramatics student while also do a grocer apprenticeship, which he ultimately gave up as his act of juggling, magic acts, balancing tricks, and sword-swallowing became so popular he could launch himself as a professional entertainer.

This decades long career took him all over New Zealand and Australia. Performing in schools, hospitals, and even in prisons. His name—The Fun Doctor—was given to him by Australian soldiers in a military hospital shortly after World War One. His visits were eagerly anticipated by all. Especially the children who would see him arrive in his iconic mini brown Austin with his moniker painted on the door.

For his performances in schools, Tate charged small amounts of change but always asked that students who could not afford it be let in for free. The money was often donated back to the school. For this, and also the general happiness and merriment he brought with him wherever he went, newspapers called him ‘A Modern Santa Claus’.

In 1959 Tate was awarded an MBE for services in the field of social welfare. Tate was extremely proud of this achievement and wore his medal to all his performances, showing it to the schoolchildren. Alongside the medal he also wore a red ribbon in support of the Labour Party.

Tate passed away from heart failure on 28 October 1962. It was estimated that he conducted over 50,000 performances to more than 2 million people. As a roman catholic, a requiem mass was performed at his funeral at St Michael’s Church in Remuera. He was laid to rest at Purewa Cemetery.