Former rugby league coach and union leader Anthony "Tank" Gordon has died in Rotorua, aged 63.
Mr Gordon played league in New Zealand and also coached the Kiwis as well as English sides Hull and the London Crusaders.
In recent years, he headed the TUIA, the union representing many of the academics at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, where chief executive, Bentham Ohia said the union leader was hardworking, humble, and committed to helping others.
Mr Ohia says Mr Gordon continued to advocate strongly for the staff he represented, but the advocate's health had failed in recent years and he died on Sunday.
