"It is with a great sense of sadness and loss that National MPs note today the death of Phil Raffills.

"Phil was an outstanding person in every respect. He had strong personal convictions that he expressed with a passion that could not help but be conveyed to everyone that he touched.

"He set the highest standards for himself and others. He led by example. He showed great leadership in promoting new ideas and he had a love of young people as the future generation of New Zealand that drove him in all that he did.

"Phil will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his wife Noelene and his family," Mrs Shipley said.

Ends

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