Former New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser has died suddenly in the UK.
Richard Prosser was a list MP from 2011 - 2017. Photo: RNZ/Elliott Childs
Prosser, who was 55, represented the party as a list MP based in Waimakariri between 2011 and 2017.
While an MP Prosser attracted controversy when he made comments critical of Muslims in a magazine column.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said his death was very sad news, especially for his wife and two young daughters.
"Richard was a very unusual person in a way, in that he had a tremendous mind and a very good memory and some serious skills in areas that people did not expect someone to be so skilled at, but he also had quite a controversial time in politics and he will also be remembered for that - but that's life and that's in the past and our very best to his family."