Long-serving Ruapehu district councillor and community stalwart Ben Goddard QSM has died.
Goddard had lived in Ohakune since he was 8 and had represented the Waimarino-Waiouru ward on the Ruapehu District Council since winning a byelection in 2011.
Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron said the thoughts of council and staff were with Goddard's wife Trish, whānau and friends after his sudden death on Wednesday.
"Ben was a much loved councillor who made a significant contribution to his community through many years of dedicated service," Cameron said.
"He loved the Waimarino and knew the region well having lived in Ohakune most of his life where he built up a successful engineering business Goddard Automotive and raised his family.