Statement from the Jourdain family

The following statement can be attributed to Robyn Jourdain, wife of Bryce Jourdain, missing off Paritutu Rock since Wednesday afternoon:

‘Firstly, we would like to thank everybody for the huge amount of support, love and care we are being shown at this time.

We would also like to thank everyone involved in the search for Bryce, Felipe and Stephen. We know they are doing their job to the highest standard, exactly like Bryce would have done in his work.

Our thoughts and love are with Felipe and Stephen’s families at this terrible time too.

Bryce was born in Papua New Guinea to his missionary parents David and Ursula.

He is the younger brother of sisters Delwyn and Joanne and older brother of Craig.

I met Bryce in Auckland and we married nearly 18 years ago. We lived in Auckland for five years before moving to Wanganui, where our children were born.  Isaac, aged 12 and Grace, aged 9.

We then moved to Whangarei, before moving to New Plymouth about 18 months ago for Bryce to take up his role at TOPEC.

We could not believe when we first moved to New Plymouth – complete strangers we would meet and they would say “Welcome to Taranaki” – It’s incredible the sense of pride in this beautiful place. Bryce was very quickly becoming Taranaki Hard Core.

Bryce is the most amazing Dad to Isaac and Grace. Our children mean the world to us.

Bryce is all about family. Everything he does, he does for us.

Bryce always focuses on the positive and lives life to the fullest. He wants to make a real difference in people’s lives and particularly loves working with young people.

He is passionate about seeing young people be the very best they can be. Always encouraging them to just be themselves and stay true to who they are.

Bryce always has a kind word to say about everyone and is so accepting of who people are, never judging.

Bryce recently updated the screensaver on our computer at home and it reads:
‘Stop trying to fit in when you were born to stand out.’

This is such a fitting statement for such an amazing husband, Dad, son, brother, friend and workmate.

Bryce you are my rock, we love you.’