Shock as Taratahi CEO dies, aged 52

SUDDEN LOSS: Donovan Wearing was taken to hospital on Tuesday in a critical condition.PHOTO/FILE

Donovan Wearing, chief executive of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, has died at 52.

A spokesman from Wellington Hospital confirmed Mr Wearing died at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr Wearing was admitted to Wairarapa Hospital in a critical condition on Tuesday but later transferred to the intensive care unit at Wellington Hospital.

Chairwoman of the Taratahi board and acting chief executive Jan Tatham said the centre had set up an email address, mycondolences@taratahi.ac.nz, to provide a channel for people to convey messages.

"It's a very sad time for everybody. He was taken to hospital on Tuesday in a critical state and died overnight, surrounded by his family."

First-year students would be arriving this weekend and classes would still go ahead on Monday, she said.

Mr Wearing is survived by his wife and their six children.

A friend of the family said they were requesting privacy but wished to "convey their heartfelt thanks for all the messages and support that has been forthcoming".

Police are investigating on behalf of the coroner. There was no indication of suspicious circumstances.

Mr Wearing took up his role at Taratahi in 2008. He was previously employed at the Open Polytechnic in Wellington, where he was general manager of a range of subjects including e-learning and emerging businesses.

Prior to the Open Polytechnic, he held a senior management role at the Ministry of Health.