Ruapehu Mayor pays tribute after sudden death of deputy mayor Marion Gillard

Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron has paid tribute after the sudden death of his Deputy Mayor Marion Gillard.

The Ruapehu community is in shock after the sudden death of deputy mayor Marion Gillard.

Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron paid tribute to Gillard who served as the district's deputy mayor for five years and as councillor for the Ohura Ward since 2001.

She died in the early hours of Monday.

"Everyone at [Ruapehu District] Council is in shock and disbelief, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Marion's family at this time," Cameron said.

"On a personal level, I am shattered by the loss of a close friend and community stalwart. Her death is a deeply felt blow to all of us."

It was a privilege and honour to have had the opportunity to have worked alongside Gillard and had her support as deputy mayor, Cameron said.

Gillard had been involved with land transport, economic development, township revitalisation, the review of water services, climate change and other issues. She was also a Resource Management Act Commissioner and served on the Audit and Risk Committee, District Licensing Committee and the Maori Council.

Ruapehu Deputy Mayor Marion Gillard had a positive impact on others.

"Her work ethic and integrity was an inspiration to those around her," Cameron said.

"Marion was not afraid to challenge the status quo, other members or any thinking or ideas she did not feel had been thought through correctly.

"She was both honest and direct and more often than not came to the table with a solution that she had thought out in advance."

Cameron said Gillard was widely admired for the life that she lived and the positive impact she had on the lives of others.