Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron has paid tribute after the sudden death of his Deputy Mayor Marion Gillard.
The Ruapehu community is in shock after the sudden death of deputy mayor Marion Gillard.
Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron paid tribute to Gillard who served as the district's deputy mayor for five years and as councillor for the Ohura Ward since 2001.
She died in the early hours of Monday.
"Everyone at [Ruapehu District] Council is in shock and disbelief, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Marion's family at this time," Cameron said.
"On a personal level, I am shattered by the loss of a close friend and community stalwart. Her death is a deeply felt blow to all of us."
It was a privilege and honour to have had the opportunity to have worked alongside Gillard and had her support as deputy mayor, Cameron said.
Gillard had been involved with land transport, economic development, township revitalisation, the review of water services, climate change and other issues. She was also a Resource Management Act Commissioner and served on the Audit and Risk Committee, District Licensing Committee and the Maori Council.
