Te Papa's chief executive Courtney Johnston shared a tribute to the artist on Twitter, writing, "Saddened to hear that artist Billy Apple died early this morning.
"Moe mai rā e Billy - my thoughts are with Mary and all Billy's friends and family who are facing his loss during lockdown."
"I think I'm going to be a late finisher". Saddened to hear that artist Billy Apple died early this morning. Moe mai rā e Billy - my thoughts are with Mary and all Billy's friends and family who are facing his loss during lockdown https://t.co/VOS8LZQgTw