TVNZ news presenter Greg Boyed has died in Switzerland. His family says he had been fighting depression.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has led tributes to TVNZ 1 News presenter Greg Boyed, who has died.

"So saddened to hear of the passing of Greg Boyed.

"I'll be one of many who will have sat opposite him over the years - such a thoughtful interviewer who was quick to share a laugh. My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues," she tweeted.

STUFF TVNZ news presenter Greg Boyed has died.

His family released a statement saying Boyed was in Europe with his family. They said the 48-year-old had been battling depression.

"It is with great sadness that we share news of the sudden death of broadcaster Greg Boyed on Monday, 20 August, whilst in Switzerland with his wife and youngest child," they wrote in the statement. "He was absolutely loved and adored. A treasured son, brother, husband and father, he will be deeply missed."

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"Greg was a talented journalist, presenter, musician and an exceptional friend to those lucky enough to know him.

"Greg had been battling depression.

"Greg was the kindest and most caring man, a devoted father who cherished and loved his two children. We are all struggling to comes to terms with this."

Head of news and current affairs at TVNZ, John Gillespie says the news has hit Boyed's colleagues hard.

"It is with a heavy heart we've learned our friend and colleague Greg Boyed has died," he wrote in a statement.

"This news has come as a huge shock to his TVNZ family.

"Greg was a prominent figure in our newsroom for the last 25 years. He was a wonderful man and a talented broadcaster who strongly believed in the power and importance of journalism in people's lives.

"Greg was known for his wit and warmth and kindness. It's a very personal loss for us.

"It's a lot to take in. Greg will be greatly missed by us, he will be missed by our colleagues in the wider industry and he'll be missed by our viewers. Our thoughts are with Greg's whanau and friends."

TRIBUTES FLOW

Colleagues of Boyed have taken to social media to pay tribute to him.

Rawdon Christie posted that his "thoughts are with his family," while fellow news anchor Eric Young said "Greg was the kindest, sweetest, silliest man I knew."

Brodie Kane summed up what many of his TVNZ colleagues and fellow journalists were saying: "Greg Boyed was one of the funnest, most brilliant broadcasters to work with. He was talented + always had time to help out his colleagues. I'm so so gutted for his family."

​Boyed worked on television shows including Fair Go, Close Up, Target and 1 News at 6pm. Most recently, he presented 1 News Tonight and Q+A.

National MP Judith Collins said, "In all the years I've dealt with him he was always a decent person, without malice and entirely professional."

Boyed was part of the original lineup of Seven Sharp, alongside Ali Mau and Jesse Mulligan when it launched in 2013.

He started his career in 1991, working in radio in Tauranga, and later moved into a business reporting role at NBR and then into broadcasting.

Boyed has two children, a young son, and a daughter in her 20s from a previous relationship. He married Swiss musician Caroline Chevin in 2014.

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