The Otago Daily Times understands Jock Davies, of Tapanui, was shot dead on Saturday.
In a social media post a family member acknowledged Davies' death "with great sadness".
"He was dearly loved and always will be!" the post read.
Davies had been diagnosed with leukaemia as a 9-year-old in 2013, and after a years-long battle underwent a successful bone marrow transplant after a relapse in 2018.
Police are investigating the death, which occurred near the remote Lords River.
Emergency services were first notified about noon on Saturday.
A search and rescue team was flown to Rakiura by helicopter and found the man, believed to be Davies, dead.
A police spokesperson said officers were speaking with people who were in the area at the time.
However, they declined to provide any further details about the death.
— APL/RNZ
