Veteran New Zealand broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes has died at his Hawke's Bay home at the age of 62.

The 62-year-old, who had been suffering from heart problems and a resurgence of prostate cancer, died early today surrounded by family.

Sir Paul Holmes. Photo: Supplied.

The Holmes family issued a statement this morning.

"Sir Paul Holmes passed away peacefully early this morning surrounded by his family at home in Hawke's Bay, as he wished to be.

"Sir Paul had been in poor health since having heart surgery earlier in the year. In recent months he had also been suffering from a resurgence of prostate cancer.

His family - wife, Lady Deborah, and children, Millie and Reuben, and brother Ken, say Sir Paul was more than just a broadcaster, he was a loving husband and father, as well as a generous friend. He loved people and people loved him.

"Lady Holmes, Millie, Rueben and Ken Holmes would like to thank the public for their incredible support."

Sir Paul ended his broadcasting career in November because of poor health and was a late addition to the New Year honours list, being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Sir Paul had four hours of open-heart surgery earlier last year in Auckland Hospital, including nearly a week in an induced coma as he recovered.

Prime Minister John Key says the death of Sir Paul is the end of a broadcasting era.

'Paul Holmes was a gentleman broadcaster. He conducted his interviews with intelligence and insightfulness, and while he never suffered fools, his interviews were never without kindness and empathy,” says Mr Key.

'He was a trailblazer in New Zealand journalism with a style that was all his own.

'I also counted him as a friend and I want to personally acknowledge the pain Deborah, Lady Holmes, Millie and Reuben are now feeling and offer my heartfelt condolences,” says Mr Key.

'Paul has been part of New Zealanders' lives since the 1970s. For more than a decade he was compulsive viewing at 7pm and, up until very recently, he was still on Q&A and his radio show. It is hard to imagine a broadcasting spectrum without him.

'It was a privilege to be with him last month as he received his Knighthood for services to broadcasting – I cannot think of anyone who deserved this more.”

Sir Paul began his career in New Zealand broadcasting in the 1980s hosting a morning talkback show in Wellington.

In 1989 he began in television hosting the 7pm current affairs show Holmes, as well as continuing his Newstalk ZB show.

Sir Paul took on many big interviews including telling the story of HIV victim Eve van Grafthorst and interviewing Mark Todd on drug allegations.

He also appeared on Dancing with the Stars.

Last year he underwent heart surgery at Auckland Hospital.