Infratil's ex-CEO dies

Infratil founder Lloyd Morrison died in Seattle this morning after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 54.

Prime Minister John Key said he had met news of Mr Morrison's death with great sadness, and remembered businessman Lloyd Morrison as a passionate New Zealand who "threw everything he had'' at life.

"Lloyd was a very successful businessman and, as a friend, I can say that he was also known for not being afraid to voice strong opinions, but he did this because he was totally passionate about New Zealand."

Morrison was known for his support for public causes, including changing the national flag, pursuing a clean-tech future for the New Zealand economy and rescuing the Wellington Phoenix football team.

At the time of his death, Mr Morrison was still a director of infrastructure owner Infratil, which he founded in 1988, but had handed over the chief executive's role to former senior Telecom manager Marko Bogoievski.

In a statement to the NZX, Infratil chairman David Newman described him as a "truly passionate New Zealander''.

The staunchly-loyal Wellingtonian, whose business empire stretched to regional airports in the UK and Europe, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia three years ago.

Under his leadership, Infratil became a Top 50 stock on the NZX, with assets including stakes in Z Energy, Wellington's international airport and bus company, TrustPower and an energy portfolio in Australia.