Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has paid tribute to former Māori Affairs Minister and Labour MP Koro Tainui Wētere who has died.

Wētere died in the arms of his daughter at Te Kuiti Hospital in the King Country on Saturday morning, the day after his 83rd birthday.

He died after an on-going battle with prostate cancer. Family confirmed Wētere's death to Stuff on Saturday morning.

FILE The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, with Prince Charles and Koro Wētere in February 1994.

Ardern posted a photo and message on Instagram from hospital as she recovered after giving birth to her baby girl.

"So saddened to hear of the passing of Koro Wētere. He leaves a huge legacy, and not just within the walls of parliament and politics. My thoughts and condolences are with his family, as is my gratitude for all he gave us."

Born in Te Kuiti in 1935, Koro Wētere was of Ngāti Maniapoto descent. He worked as a farmer in the King Country and served as an Āpotoro in the Ratana Church before moving into public service.

MARK TAYLOR/STUFF Koro Wētere and Timoti Karetu at a Māori Language Week celebration.

Wetere entered parliament in 1969 with the largest majority of any candidate. He later served as a minister under David Lange's Labour-led government.

In his time he served as Minister of Māori Affairs and was known as the forebearer of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process.

Helen Clark paid tribute to Wētere in a tweet on Saturday, saying he was a "much valued colleague in Parliament for many years as MP, Minister and Labour stalwart".

Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters expressed his condolences at Wētere's death.

"On behalf of the New Zealand Government I wish to acknowledge the contribution Koro Wētere has made to the country and his remarkable service as a parliamentarian for more than quarter of a century," Peters said.

Koro Wētere served as Crown Minister for Lands and for Maori Affairs and played a key role in the affairs of his Tainui people.

"He was also instrumental in the complicated resolution of the Maori fisheries settlement during the 1980s. His contributions to New Zealand's modern society include advances in Te Reo language recognition.

"Koro was highly respected across the divide of politics for his sincerity and integrity. Our deepest condolences are extended to his family and to Ngāti Maniapoto for their loss."

Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta said Wētere's death was a huge loss.

"To Tainui, Maniapoto-Waikato in particular he played a significant contribution to Māoridom and was a Labour MP for a significant time."

Wētere served as an MP in the Kirk government and as a cabinet minister in the Lange government.

He oversaw a passion of his in progressing Māori land development, and was a "grassroots character" who drew his political contribution from what was happening in communities, Mahuta said.

Wētere grew up on a farm but it was soon realised his talents were wasted on the rural life, and he entered into politics, she said.

Wētere would leave a legacy as a political leader in resetting Māori development and as a leader in Treaty settlement, she said.

"During my period of growing up he was very influential. He will leave a big hole."

Wetere introduced the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act, which extended the Waitangi Tribunal's powers to investigate claims dating back to 1840.

In 1984 Wētere hosted the Hui Taumata – a Maori economic summit conference – at Parliament. It looked at channelling funds towards Māori initiatives in a productive way.

"That was a shift in policy focus recognising how Māori could impact their own outcomes – and he was instrumental in that."

The other major contribution was the 1985 Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act, making retrospective Treaty of Waitangi claims possible.

Wētere was a strong supporter of the kohanga reo movement.

"His aspirations for Māori education went from early childhood to Te Wananga Aotearoa," Mahuta said.

He became Minister of Maori Affairs in 1984. Five years later the 'Maori loans affair' erupted when his senior Maori Affairs' staff planned to arrange unauthorised overseas loans to promote Maori business.

He offered his resignation but it was turned down by his senior cabinet colleagues.

Under his reign as minister, the 1987 Māori Language Act was passed. At the time he said making Māori language an official language of New Zealand﻿ was not only for Māori, but for the whole nation.

In 1990 Wetere caused an uproar by replying to questions in the House in Māori and refusing to translate.

When Wētere left politics he served as a director of Waikato-Tainui, and was seen as a "trust and confidence" to the Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, in her time.

"He was unshakeable and unwavering in his commitment to movements that he loved – the Kīngitanga and Ratana movements," Mahuta said.

"He gave me advice when I first came into Parliament, which I have coveted. He was always stable and consistent in times of flurry."

​As a man Wētere was undeniably "likeable", she said.

"Even in his time in opposition you wouldn't find many who would say a bad word. He was held in high regard by those on both sides of the house."

"He was always a solid support in my personal political career and growing up."

Outside politics, Wētere loved to play golf and is survived by his wife, two daughters, three sons, 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Wētere will be taken to Turangawaewae marae on Saturday afternoon before being buried in the family cemetary at the family farm just south of Te Kuiti on the Awakino 4mile.