Maori Women's Welfare League national president Meagan Joe died early on Wednesday at the age of 58, after a long battle against breast cancer.
Ms Joe, who had been president of the league since 2008, celebrated her birthday the day before, on Tuesday.
She worked in the public sector for more than 25 years, and helped to develop a parenting programme for Maori fathers of young children.
Her body has been taken to Pukemokimoki Marae in Napier.
Many people have been paying tribute, praising her contribution to the wellbeing of Maori.
League general manager Jacqui Te Kani says Ms Joe's death is a great loss for the organisation. She says she commanded respect without demanding it.
The Maori Party has paid tribute to her, saying she was an outstanding woman who strove to make a significant contribution to her community, country and whanau.
Ms Te Kani says Ms Joe is the second league president who died while still in the post. Maraea Te Kawa, who was elected in 1983, only served a couple of months.
Ms Joe's death came days after the league lost a High Court challenge brought by Destiny Church co-leader Hannah Tamaki, who wants to be president of the organisation. She took the legal action after her name was left off voting papers for next month's ballot.
The court ruled that she can stand for the presidency of the league, but members of 10 newly established Destiny Church-affiliated branches won't be able to vote.
Ms Te Kani doubts the election at the national conference at the end of next month will have to be rescheduled, but says that will have to be decided by league members. She says the president's duties will be taken over by the vice president until the elections.