Radio pioneer and Hauraki founder Chris Parkinson dies aged 74

Radio Hauraki founder Chris Parkinson has died.

Award-winning broadcaster and Radio Hauraki co-founder Chris Parkinson has died, just days before his 75th birthday.

Parkinson founded the iconic radio station, which turns 50 this December, alongside David Gapes, Denis O'Callahan and Derek Lowe.

Chris Parkinson was considered to have one of the best voices in New Zealand radio.

Together, the men are credited with introducing New Zealand listeners to bands such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and more.

Their story, documented in several films, saw the foursome come together to broadcast from a small pocket of international water between Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula, aboard the good ship Tiri.

Parkinson was a studio technician and was soon revealed to have a fantastic radio voice. He went on to be the "corporate voice" of several radio stations and was the "Voice of God" who introduced TVNZ's news presenters during the 90s.