His daughter Kaya told of her father's death through her Facebook page. "The unfortunate news that's going around is true," she said.
"Our dad has passed and I know how gutting it is hearing it from word of mouth but I thought on behalf of my family I will let everyone know what has happened."
Tributes flowed in internationally and the Northland Rugby Union (NRU) was last night trying to contact the family to see how it could help.
Berryman played for the New Zealand Invitational XV against the Italian Classic XV in Italy on June 13 - a game organised in honour of Collins, who died with partner Alana Madill in a car crash in France on June 5.
He won three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders - in 1998, 1999 and 2000 - and also played for New Zealand Maori. His only All Black test came off the bench in a 24-23 defeat to the Springboks in Durban in 1998. Berryman replaced Eroni Clarke at centre in that match.
The NRU's chief executive, Jeremy Parkinson, said Berryman was "a bit of a cult and folk hero up here".
"He epitomised everything New Zealand Rugby is trying to provide - a career path via rugby. Any kid can grow up anywhere in the country, play for their province, make a Super Rugby team and get in the All Blacks, and that's what Norm did. He was a shining light and a good example that if you're talented and you persevere you can succeed.
"He was a huge role model up here. He always had a smile on his face and high-fived kids after the games - he was the last to come off the field after signing autographs so he was a great representative."
Parkinson said Berryman's body would likely come back to Northland for a tangi.
"In typical Norm fashion, he'd want us to celebrate his life and have a bit of fun, a bit of a laugh and talk about the good memories ... there were plenty of them."
Former All Black captain and new Blues coach Tana Umaga, who has just farewelled his cousin Jerry Collins, said it was "another sad day".
Fellow former All Black Jonah Lomu tweeted that he had "lost another brother today" and that he would "miss your smiling that filled our screen and that great giggle". Additional reporting
Players, pals bid farewell
It's another sad day! Heart goes out to his whanau!
Tana Umaga
Another brother gone too early. Inspired our young rangatahi to enjoy sport with a smile. Moe mai ra e hoa Stormin' Norm Berryman!
Piri Weepu
I just remember that he was always smiling, always having fun.
Justin Marshall
Loved his rugby, loved to have fun, that came across in the way he played.
Christian Cullen
Lost another brother today. We are [gonna] miss your smiling that filled our screen and that great giggle.
Jonah Lomu
Normy bro, it was an honour to be on the field with you again.
John Akurangi
He made lots of people want to watch rugby. Off the field he never seemed to have a care in the world.
Todd Blackadder
He was the sort of character you wanted in your team, he was an energiser in the team, always up, always keen, always happy.
Wayne Smith
Norman Rangi Berryman
• Born April 15, 1973, Wellington
• Played one test for the All Blacks, in 1998
• Beloved cult hero who was agile despite his size
• Played for Northland from 1991-2000 and again in 2003
• Represented Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues in Super Rugby
• Later played in France before settling in Perth and working as a forklift driver
•Father of six: Cairo, Kaya, Terrell, Tatiana, Laytarjae and Shyah
• Famously quit an All Blacks camp and hitchhiked home after saying then coach John Hart "projected negativity"
