Reporting by RNZ
30 September 2025, 9:08 PM
The popular TV host and clinical psychologist was diagnosed with "incurable" gastric cancer in 2024.
New Zealand psychologist, author and media personality Nigel Latta has died after living with cancer, it's been reported on his official Facebook page.
"On Tuesday the 30th of September Nigel passed away with the same dignity and positivity that he carried through life," the post on Wednesday read.
"He will be dearly missed by his wife Natalie, daughter Rina, son Kieran, and three stepchildren Elijah, Maya and Leon."
Latta was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and told he had less than a year to live.
He said at the time he was diagnosed a month ago after going to his GP complaining of a "really uncomfortable, sort of full feeling at the back of my throat".
Latta revealed in a Facebook video that a gastroenterologist had found a tumour at the base of his stomach, and given him between six and 12 months to live. The cancer was both inoperable and incurable, he said.
"That was probably the most traumatic thing I've ever been through,' he said at the time.
"I remember standing outside after he told me this thing, and not knowing what to do or where to go. I remember standing there and being utterly paralysed."
But in March 2025. Latta said in a post on social media his cancer was in remission and he expected to live for "years and years".
"I've responded really well to chemo, and that hasn't affected me as badly as it does some people," he said at the time.
"And I can take a whole bunch of wonder drugs, and the wonder drugs are working.
"The original stomach tumour has now pretty much gone."
He was able to stay on the medication indefinitely, he said.
"So for me, I'm that guy ... who got given that terrible prognosis, but I'm going to be around for a long time."
Latta, an author and documentary producer was known for his deep dives into the psyches of criminals, troubled teens and parents, and for tackling gnarly social issues like obesity, poverty, and child abuse.
He presented true crime series Beyond the Darklands and the Politically Incorrect parenting shows, as well as his books on the same topics. Most recently, he presented the TVNZ show You've Been Scammed.
Latta's most recent book Lessons on Living was due to be released in October.
Published by permission