Leaders of political parties have paid tribute to National MP and long-standing school principal Allan Peachey who has has died at the age of 62.
Mr Peachey died on Sunday after a battle with cancer.
The MP for Tamaki entered Parliament in 2005 after a 32-year career in education, including as principal of New Zealand's largest school, Rangitoto College.
He was re-elected to Parliament in 2008 and was chairman of Parliament's Education and Science Select Committee.
Mr Peachey also served two terms as president of the Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand.
In October, he announced he would not stand again as a candidate in November's general election for health reasons.
National Party leader John Key says Mr Peachey passionately believed in education.
"It was with sadness that he stood down just as we went into the the election period with the knowledge that he was obviously very, very unwell. It's just tragic that he's been robbed of that further time to spend with his family."
Mr Key says it is likely Mr Peachey's funeral will be held on Friday.
Labour leader Phil Goff says Mr Peachey had an unstinting commitment to education and his contribution and dedication as an MP will be sorely missed.
ACT leader Don Brash says Mr Peachey worked tirelessly for his students and then the people in his electorate, and his passing is a great loss.
Mr Peachey is survived by his wife and four children.
