Southlander John Gordon, retired rural radio and television presenter, director and author, has died.

Gordon was best known for his appearances in the popular TV series Country Calendar (1976-84) and as the voice behind the iconic dog-trial series A Dog's Show (1977-94).

He also directed and wrote The Southlanders, a series of one-hour documentaries about Southland places and identities.

Growing up in Invercargill, Gordon spent time on the family's Gorge Road farm before studying at Lincoln College. This lead to various farming positions before he embarked on a broadcasting career that would span 24 years.

After leaving broadcasting in 1997 Gordon wrote several books including - People Places And Paddocks, Mountains of the South, Three Sheep and a Dog, Out of Town, What's Its Name, Fresh Fields and Going There.

At various times Gordon also worked for both the New Zealand Red Cross and Volunteer Service Abroad, which involved him travelling to South Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia to pass on his agricultural knowledge.

Gordon moved to Otautau in 2010. He died on Tuesday 26th April, aged 78 years.