Andrew Oliver (disabled New Zealander)

Andrew Francis Oliver (c. 1984 – 26 July 2025) was a New Zealander who came to prominence due to his relationship with milk tank trucks that visited his property. Oliver was the only person in New Zealand diagnosed with Fryns-Aftimos syndrome, and he was the oldest known person to have survived with the condition.

Biography

Andrew Francis Oliver was born to Ken and Deirdre Oliver.[1][2] Scans during pregnancy indicated that he would be born with deformities, and doctors recommended terminating the pregnancy. His parents decided against this due to their views around the sanctity of life, informed by their Christian faith and involvement with The Salvation Army.[1] Oliver was born with a swollen head and neck.[3]

As an infant, Oliver was diagnosed with Langer–Giedion syndrome. During his childhood he underwent multiple surgeries and developed epilepsy.[3][4] By age 6, his mother had begun to doubt that his original diagnosis was correct.[3][4] He was eventually diagnosed with Fryns–Aftimos syndrome, an extremely rare chromosomal disorder. Oliver was the only person to be diagnosed with the syndrome in New Zealand, and at 35 he was the oldest person known to have it in the world.[4][5][6] His condition meant that even at the age of 35, he had the mental capability of a six-year-old.[4][5][6] Oliver was called "Andy" by those who knew him.[7]

Oliver came to national attention in 2019, when news articles reported that the dairy co-operative Fonterra had adjusted their collection routine to help Oliver have a consistent bedtime.[4][6][3] Oliver had a firm routine that included greeting the tank trucks that collected milk from the farm where he lived in Te Rapa, near Hamilton.[4] Initially, the collections occurred at erratic times as late as 2 am, and Oliver would not go to bed until he had seen the truck. After a request for help from Oliver's father, Fonterra adjusted their collection routine to guarantee a pickup between 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm.[4]

Due to the rarity of his condition, Oliver's family had difficulty accessing government support.[3] In 2019, he joined a new independent living programme.[3]

On 16 July 2025, Oliver died of pneumonia at Waikato Hospital, at the age of 41.[5] He was buried in a coffin printed with images of Fonterra milk tanker trucks.[5][7]

References

  1. ^ a b Barratt, Ingrid (24 June 2019), "A sacred life", War Cry Magazine, The Salvation Army NZFTS, pp. 14–15, retrieved 28 July 2025
  2. ^ "Andrew OLIVER Obituary", Waikato Times Death Notices, 19 July 2025, retrieved 28 July 2025
  3. ^ a b c d e f Stewart, Indira (14 May 2019), "Fonterra Fan Andrew Oliver's journey with disability to independent living.", RNZ, retrieved 28 July 2025
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Stewart, Indira (7 May 2019), "Fonterra changes tanker schedule for #1 fan", RNZ, retrieved 28 July 2025
  5. ^ a b c d Stewart, Indira (27 July 2025), "Nobody loved tankers like Andy: global dairy giant farewells a special man", 1News, retrieved 28 July 2025
  6. ^ a b c Lawrence, Meghan (8 May 2019), "Kind gesture by dairy exporter Fonterra life-changing for struggling Waikato family", The New Zealand Herald, retrieved 28 July 2025
  7. ^ a b "Andy was New Zealand's biggest milk tanker fan. He had a very special send off", RNZ, 28 July 2025, archived from the original on 28 July 2025, retrieved 28 July 2025
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