A Rotorua pensioner who touched the hearts of thousands of people locally and worldwide has died.
Gavin Hayes died at Taumarunui Hospital, aged 83, on Saturday after a long illness.
Mr Hayes, known as Gabby Hayes, became headline news in 2012 when he was burgled by a group of Rotorua teenagers he had befriended.
The group repeatedly took advantage of his good nature, stealing his car, food and money from his Glenholme flat and leaving him distraught.
After the Rotorua Daily Post publicised his plight residents rushed to Mr Hayes' aid, offering meals, lifts to the shops and help with his housework.