Today, New Zealand lost one of its greatest and most loved entertainers with the death of Sir Howard Morrison (OBE).

Sir Howard had been at the forefront of New Zealand music for more than 50 years and his contribution to Kiwi music was immense. It was not only Sir Howard's passion and talent for music that made him an icon but he also made an enormous contribution to the development of Maori youth programs and was an inspirational leader in the Department of Maori Affairs.

Sir Howard became known in New Zealand as a supreme optimist, a true professional and one of our greatest entertainer's.