Former Governor-General and Supreme Court judge Sir David Beattie died suddenly of a heart attack at his Upper Hutt home last night, aged 76.
Sir David passed away about 6 pm, with Lady Beattie and family members by his side.
His son, Simon, said Sir David had been in good spirits despite suffering health problems in recent years.
It is likely he will receive a state funeral.
Prime Minister Helen Clark expressed her sadness last night soon after hearing of Sir David's death.
"He gave very distinguished service to New Zealand in the arts and in sport," she said.
"He never retired - he kept himself busy serving New Zealand in so many ways."
Sir David was one of the country's most easily recognised Governors-General, holding office through growing Maori protests at Waitangi and the 1984 snap election.
In a memorable photo, Sir David appears beside a belligerent Sir Robert Muldoon just hours after the then National Prime Minister had advised him that he no longer could be sure of a majority because MP Marilyn Waring had threatened to cross the floor.
Sir David had never sought the country's highest office.
In 1979, when approached to become Governor-General, he said: "I do not know whether I can accept - after all, I am just an ordinary New Zealander."
His tenure came at a time when some were beginning to question whether the office should retain a place in modern New Zealand.
When he retired, he acknowledged the changes: "Some people these days may not be as deferential as once they were, or as easily persuaded to take custom and tradition at face value."
That had included his being hit by a golf ball in protests at Waitangi in 1982.
As Governor-General, he was willing to be involved in issues. At the Waitangi Day ceremony in 1981, he said New Zealanders could never be one people as some longed for.
"We are not one people ... nor should we try to be.
"We do not need to be. What we need to do is live and work and play together as fellow human beings."
Born in Sydney in 1924, while his parents were visiting Australia, he was educated at Dilworth School and served for many years on its trust board.
The list of charities he headed in life runs to 10 lines in the latest Who's Who in New Zealand.
A lawyer, he was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1965 and named to the Supreme Court - now the High Court - in 1969, serving until his appointment to Government House.
Much of his legal writing involved medico-legal work and he was part of the royal commission in 1978 to study the way the courts were run.
He was heavily involved in sport. Sir David played senior rugby in Auckland and for the NZ Services team during the Second World War.
He was Olympic Committee president until the end of last year's Sydney Games and served two terms as president of the Sports Foundation.
He was a keen golfer, tennis player and fisherman.
Sir David said he and his wife admired the monarchy.
He was Governor-General when Prince Charles and Princess Diana brought Prince William, then a baby, to New Zealand in 1984.
The traditional Kiwi "Buzzy Bee" toy Lady Beattie gave William led to a photo opportunity broadcast and published around the world.
Heart attack claims former Governor-General
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