Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's chief executive has paid tribute to the man affectionately known as 'Uncle Stevie' on the rugby radio airwaves.
Mike Rogers said Steven Taewhanake Pearson, who died today, will be missed by the rugby community.
"He was the voice of reason, the voice of rugby, the voice of the people. That is the best way to describe Steven, " said Rogers.
"A man who lived and breathed Greerton Marist Rugby and could be heard every Saturday morning on Moana Radio - telling it like it is.
"It will be sad to think we have lost such a rugby identity. My thoughts and wishes go out to his whānau at this sad time."