Stuntman and entertainer Johnny Danger has been killed in a motorcycle crash after taking part in an organised Anzac day ride.
The death was one of two fatalities involving motorbikes in the city within 45 minutes on Wednesday - the other victim being a man in his 60s.
It is understood Danger, whose real name is Johnny Bennett, died in the motorbike crash in Lucas Heights, in Albany, about 2.30pm.
Those who were first on the scene tried desperately to revive their injured mate but he could not be saved.
Footage of Bennett preparing for the ride was posted on social media just hours before his death.
There were emotional scenes at the site, as family members stood by and hugged as police officers lifted a body from a gully off Dairy Flat Highway.
Police blocked off the side of the road where it meets Hobson Rd with road cones, and diversions were put in place.
Officers were carrying out a scene investigation and looked to be focusing on a broken-down section of a fence, leading into a gully.
Friend Carl King confirmed Bennett's death to the Herald.
He said he was with Bennett and several other motorcyclists as part of an Anzac Day rally.
After the incident he and several others tried to revive Bennett, he said.
King posted a video on Facebook showing him and at least eight other motorcyclists travelling in convoy through Auckland.
Social media personality Sam's Life has taken to Facebook to acknowledge the death of his friend: "Rest easy Johnny Danger, lost for words."
Max Key also acknowledged Bennett's passing, sharing a number of photos of the pair together, as well as one with former Prime Minister Sir John Key.
"Some absolutely shattering news today,'' Max Key wrote.
"You taught me how important it is to not take yourself too seriously and to live life to the fullest! Was so epic causing mischief with you and I hope you swig hard up there. RIP my friend.''
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Max Key 🔑 (@maxkey_) on
Rest easy Johnny danger, lost for words 😭
Posted by Sams Life on Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Senior Sergeant Brett Henshaw said the deceased was travelling northbound on the Dairy Flat Highway on his motorcycle.
"He has come off the road, crashing at the intersection of Hobson Rd and Dairy Flat Highway.
"Associates assisted initially and then emergency services including ambulance, fire and police attempted to revive the male but were unsuccessful."
Henshaw said the matter had been referred to the coroner.
Bennett has a huge online following, with more than 200,000 followers on social media site Instagram.
Footage posted by Bennett last night showed photos and video of his motorbike, acknowledging he was preparing for a ride today.
Video posted online today showed him getting ready to take part in an Anzac Day motorbike ride with several others.
In one clip, the group is outside a petrol station on Quay St, in downtown Auckland, getting ready to head off.
Bennett can be seen picking up his helmet and fastening it before hopping on to his bike.
Last November, Bennett posted a photo of his new motorcycle licence; clearly excited to get it.
He told fans: "My new licence photo, finally got my full bike licence! I didn't know I was getting a new pic so I had no time to think up something, this will do for now. Time to get a Harley now.''
Bennett, of Whangaparaoa, has a huge following of fans on social media sites.
He has up to 204,000 followers on his Instagram page and a quarter of a million on Facebook - and numerous tributes have been posted on both sites already.
The amateur stuntman and comedian is hugely popular with Kiwis and also has an international following; with his videos attracting comments from fans from all around the world.
In 2015, he was found guilty of causing a criminal nuisance after video footage surfaced of him "surfing'' on a taxi as it went over the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 2013.
The taxi-surfing video - which went viral on social media and featured on international news sites - shows a man climbing out of the vehicle's passenger-side window and precariously clinging to the Reliable Cabs sign on the roof.
Bennett's beer brand "Dangers Beer" was pulled from the shelves of a major New Zealand supermarket chain, following a backlash online.
Meanwhile, police confirmed there had been another fatal motorcycle accident on Mcentee Rd in Waitakere.
The rider, a man in his 60s, died at the scene, police said.
St John said two ambulance vehicles attended the crash at 3.16pm.
A resident on Mcentee Rd said she had had to take a longer route home this afternoon because of the diversions in place.
She did not know anything about the crash, but said: "There are lots of lights and sirens at the moment''.
The serious crash unit is investigating both incidents.