National MP and long-standing school principal Allan Peachey has died at the age of 62 after a battle with cancer.
Mr Peachey, the electorate MP for Tamaki, entered Parliament in 2005 after a 32-year career in education, including as the principal of New Zealand's largest school Rangitoto College.
He was re-elected into Parliament in 2008 and was the 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 as a candidate in November's general election due to 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", he says.
Labour Party leader Phil Goff says Mr Peachey had an unstinting commitment to education and his contribution and dedication as an MP will be sorely missed.
Mr Goff says his death is a loss for New Zealand.
ACT leader Don Brash says Mr Peachey worked tirelessly for his students and then for the people in his electorate and his passing is a great loss.
Mr Key says it is likely Mr Peachey's funeral will be held on Friday.
Mr Peachy is survived by his wife and four children.
