Sir Peter would be remembered for his wide and varied contributions to New Zealand, which extended well beyond politics, Mr English said.
Labour's spokesperson for Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia, said friends and family would mourn Sir Peter and honour an accomplished politician and farmer who would be sorely missed.
"His parliamentary career reached great heights, spanning a number of ministerial portfolios," Mr Horomia said.
"Our thoughts are with his whanau and friends as they farewell a great man."
Sir Peter entered Parliament as a Labour MP in 1981 and remained until 1996. He was born and lived in Rotorua for much of his life.
He held the internal affairs, arts, police and defence portfolios during his career.
Sir Peter was the first Maori speaker of the House from 1993 to 1996 and was the first member of an opposition party to serve as a speaker.
He worked as an orthopaedic surgeon in Rotorua before becoming an MP.
Sir Peter's daughter Shan said her father would be at Whakaue Marae in Maketu from midday tomorrow and his funeral service would be on Tuesday at 11am at Whakaue Marae. He will be buried at Wharekahu Cemetery in Maketu.
Sir Peter and his late wife, Diane, who died in 2008, had two sons and two daughters.
Friend Terry Morrison said last night it was a very sad day for Te Arawa.
"He was a very dear friend. We had a very special relationship. I'm just so saddened."
Former Rotorua Labour MP Steve Chadwick described Sir Peter as "debonair" and well-educated. She said she would always remember him for wearing a rose in the lapel of his suit in Parliament.
"That was the sort of stamp he put on Parliament at the time. He believed in decorum and good behaviour and would have liked to have seen a code of good behaviour in Parliament I'm sure."
