Overview

• Christie was found dead at his home early Wednesday, with no official cause released as friends told local media they suspected it was self‑inflicted.
• He had publicly voiced concern he was experiencing CTE symptoms and said he intended to donate his brain to researchers to advance New Zealand studies.
• After retiring in 2017, he reported persistent headaches, memory lapses, speech issues, depression and mood swings following multiple concussions.
• He helped establish the Billy Guyton Foundation after his friend and former teammate died in 2023 and was diagnosed with CTE post‑mortem.
• New Zealand Rugby and his former teams, including the Highlanders and Tasman Mako, paid tribute to his leadership as a player and later as a coach.