Prominent New Zealand film director Merata Mita died after collapsing outside Maori Television's Auckland studios today.
Mita collapsed at around 1.15pm in Newmarket and died after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, Maori Television spokeswoman Sonya Haggie said.
Mita was known for her documentary films such Bastion Point and Patu, about the 1981 Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand, and the feature film Mauri.
"The staff and management of Maori Television wish to pass on their sincere condolences to her whanau," Ms Haggie said.
Ms Haggie was not aware of the cause of her death and said the broadcaster did not wish to say anything else out of respect for Mita's family.
NZ On Screen said Mita was "a passionate advocate for Maori creative control" and a "key figure in the story of Maori filmmaking".
She was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the latest New Year Honours for services to the film industry.
