Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sir John Wallace dies

Updated at 8:55 pm on 20 September 2012

One of New Zealand's most respected legal statesmen, Sir John Wallace QC, has died, aged 78.

Sir John had a distinguished career and was appointed as a High Court judge in 1982.

In 1985 he led a Royal Commission on the electoral system, which led to the current MMP system being put in place.

Sir John also held roles as the Chief Human Rights Commissioner, president of the Electoral Commission and was deputy president of the Law Commission, all before being knighted in 1997.

Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias says Sir John was an outstanding New Zealander who made a significant contribution to law reform.

She says he was greatly admired as a man of great moral courage, who cared deeply about fairness and justice for all.

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