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As family and friends prepare to farewell swimming coach Duncan Laing at his funeral this afternoon Sports Minister Clayton Cosgrove has offered a tribute.
Mr Cosgrove said Laing, who died on Saturday aged 77, was arguably New Zealand's greatest swimming coach.
"From moulding Olympic champions through to helping toddlers learn water skills, Duncan Laing was a tremendous asset to the entire community as a swimming coach," Mr Cosgrove said.
"He also made valuable contributions in his capacity as a rugby coach and through his work with disadvantaged youth."
Mr Cosgrove said Laing loved to coach and was devoted to nurturing young talent.
Laing is best remembered for the 200m and 400m freestyle swimming gold medals won at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by his star pupil, Danyon Loader.
"His influence spanned three decades and he laid the foundation for much of New Zealand's successes in the pool over that period."
Laing was troubled by poor health in his latter years, after retiring from coaching in late 2006 following a 40-year career contracted to Moana Pool in Dunedin.
He was treated in hospital in 2006 for a melanoma-like growth which was removed from his leg and in the same year he had surgery to remove a brain tumour.
A public memorial service will be held in the Edgar Centre, Dunedin, at 1pm followed by private cremation.
- NZPA
