Feminist, activist and academic Dr Cat Pausé has died.
The Massey University lecturer specialised in fat studies and body stigma.
She had recently been outspoken about healthcare discrimination based on body size, during the pandemic.
Close friend MP Dr Deborah Russell said she was told by Dr Pausé's family that she died in her sleep.
Dr Pausé was "a kind and loving person and very generous-hearted", she said.
"She had a huge smile and she was very generous with her time, and just with thoughtfulness for people. She sent the most beautiful gifts to people ... She was also very fond of my daughters and she'd come to the school shows to see my girls on the stage."
Through their friendship, Russell learned "the social stigma towards fat people is appalling".
"She urged a really, really radical acceptance ... What Cat taught me, was to separate medical judgement and moral judgement."
Russell said Pausé "had to be resilient" in her work.
"But I'm sure it got her down from time to time, being a woman, in public, in the media, and being fat at the same time, just invites hate. She copped a lot of hate from a lot of people, and we all tried to support her but goodness it was hard for her at times."
RNZ
