The man regarded as the "voice" of New Zealand's longest-running television show, Country Calendar, has died not long after the show celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Frank Torley, 75, died peacefully on Saturday morning after a short, sharp battle with cancer, his former employer TVNZ reports.
He retired as the narratoron Country Calendar last month because of problems with his vocal cords.
The rural-focused show celebrated its 50th year earlier this month.
According to his NZ On Screen biography, Torley's career in rural broadcasting began in 1965 with a chance meeting with friend and then broadcaster Colin Follas at the Feilding saleyards.
Torley's boyhood ambition of farm ownership was eventually realised with a lifestyle block in the Rangitikei. The first Country Calendar episode of 2011 put Torley on the receiving end of the camera for a change.
He is survived by wife Jenny, son Mark and daughter Bridget, TVNZ reports.