Former Wellington mayor's son dies in riding accident

Former Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast, right, pictured at Parliament with Prime Minister John Key, left, and former Auckland mayor John Banks, centre, last year. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The son of former Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast has passed away this morning.

Mr Prendergast, 30, received serious head and chest injuries after the horse he was riding threw him and then rolled on him at Waikanae Park on the Kapiti Coast on March 21.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

The Prendergast family have thanked the Life Flight Trust pilots, paramedics, community nurses and Wellington Hospital's ICU staff for their compassion and dedication.

They have asked for privacy as they come to terms with the sudden death of their much-loved son.

Mr Prendergast was Ms Prendergast's only son with her former husband Paul Prendergast.

He leaves behind two sisters, Melissa and Jessica, and a one-year-old niece, Amber Leigh.

Kerry Prendergast was born in Christchurch, later moving to Wellington and attending Tawa College. She has lived overseas in both Australia and the UK and is married to hotelier Rex Nicholls.

Ms Prendergast served three terms as Wellington mayor and was ousted in last year's election by Celia Wade-Brown.

- Newstalk ZB, NZ Herald staff, NZPA