Former Whanganui MP Chester Borrows, 65, has died.
Borrows represented National in the electorate for four terms between 2005 and 2017. He served as a Minister for Courts and deputy Speaker of the House during Sir John Key's Government.
Prior to entering the House of Representatives, Borrows was a police officer, detective and lawyer. In 1978, he received a Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for arresting an armed murderer in Wellington's Miramar.
Over the weekend, his family said cancer Borrows was suffering from was now terminal. He was diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell cancer last year.
"Following surgery, radiation and chemotherapy the cancer is now terminal and Chester has begun a series of treatments which are not funded by the health system," the Givealittle page said.
The 65-year-old had been using his savings to pay for a non-funded drug at $8000 per dose.
He is survived by his wife, Ella, as well as three children and three grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held at Hawera's TSB Hub on Thursday afternoon.
The Givealittle page for Borrows had raised over $39,000 with money going towards the ongoing costs of Borrows' treatment.
People were quick to pass on their support for Chester with one person saying, "praying and thinking of you, it's horrible news, much love to you all".
Another person wrote, "No words will do, glad you will be able to wrap yourselves together at this terrible time".
