Former All Blacks and Warriors doctor John Mayhew has died.

North Harbour Rugby have announced his passing after recent heart complications.

He was 70.

Dr Mayhew served as North Harbour's inaugural doctor from 1986, before being appointed as the All Blacks doctor from 1988 to 2004 - a period encompassing more than 200 matches and later moving to the Warriors.

In 2016, Dr. Mayhew was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to sports medicine.

North Harbour Rugby chief executive Adrian Donald says it's devastating news for the rugby community.

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