Wellington’s Dubstep icon Olie Bassweight found dead under mysterious circumstances

Wellington’s electronic music community is mourning the unexpected death of Oliver Hayes, known on stage as Olie Bassweight, whose body was discovered Saturday night(June 7) at a property on Mansfield Street in Newtown. He was 41.

Police responded to the house at 7:15 pm after neighbors reportedly heard nothing unusual before officers arrived and uncovered the scene. Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard confirmed inquiries are ongoing, including a post‑mortem and thorough scene examination.

Family and friends remember Olie

Hayes’s sister, Louise, shared her grief on Facebook shortly afterward:

“His light was like no other. We are heartbroken and thrown into tumultuous grief and shock.”

“She remembered, ‘the day Olie arrived on this planet… he seemed old to me, an old old soul from the get go.’”

Friends recall Hayes as “a natural mentor,” an enthusiastic supporter of emerging talent. A profile on FreeListenOnline notes he had immersed himself in dubstep since 2006, helped run DJ competitions, and worked with touring international artists to boost New Zealand’s electronic scene.

One local artist, chatting off the record, described him simply as “the guy who always had your back, he believed in your mix before you did.”

History of Dubstep

Dubstep itself—originating in South London in the late 1990s—is known for its heavy bass and captivating rhythmic intensity. In Aotearoa’s small but vibrant electronic subculture, Hayes carved out a rare standing: a bridge-builder who brought overseas DJs to tiny venues and helped young local producers shape their sound.

He "touched many with his music, philosophy, curiosity, and passion," his sister wrote, honoring a life ruled by creativity.

Wellington resident Sara Johnson, who’d shared the dance floor with Hayes multiple times, said she felt a chill when she heard the news: "Olie's set could move you. He had this rare energy like he loved every moment under the lights."

Police have not yet released the cause of death, and inquiries are ongoing.

But what’s clear is that Olie Bassweight’s beat will echo well beyond Mansfield Street.