A distinguished New Zealand scientist who became a world leader in space research died at his home in Napier on Saturday.
Sir Ian Axford, 77, was the 1995 New Zealander of the Year and was honoured by the Royal Society for his ground-breaking research in planetary science, comets and solar physics.
Sir Ian was the director of Germany's renowned Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research for 16 years – resulting in a close involvement with the Comet Halley space probe in 1986.
Sir Ian was knighted in 1996 and was also a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States.
He is survived by his wife Joy and four children
NZPA/RadioLIVE