"It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Trevor de Cleene," Opposition Leader Jenny Shipley said today.

"Trevor was one of the most provocative, funny, and yet seriously able politicians that New Zealand has ever seen.

"Political Correctness was something he scorned. Commonsense and the future were the things he championed.

"While he loved to pretend to be outrageously sexist, I found him hugely supportive of women in politics, who he believed had a real contribution to make.

"I am deeply saddened by his loss and send my sincere condolences to his family," Mrs Shipley said.

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