Ngaio Crequer, who worked for The Times Higher from 1978 to 1986, died suddenly last week. She was a reporter and later news editor of the paper before joining the founding staff of The Independent . She subsequently worked for the Association of Colleges and then The Times Educational Supplement , where she covered further education. Ngaio, a graduate of Manchester University, where she was president of the student union, began her career on The Birmingham Post . A private funeral will take place next week. She is survived by daughter Kiri and son Aaron.