A Bay of Plenty champion for workers' rights has died.

Hohepa Harawira QSM (Ngati Awa, Ngai te Rangi), known as Joe, passed away yesterday at home surrounded by his family.

He was 70-years-old.

Joe received the Queen's Service Medal in 2012, having spent 30 years seeking recognition for the health needs of workers at the Whakatane Sawmill who may have been poisoned by chemicals.

He was a spokesperson for Sawmill Workers Against Poisons, which produced a survey of former sawmill workers and their families.

Council of Trade Unions Vice-President Maori Syd Keepa says Joe was a working man through and through.

'Joe was one of our best and he leaves an immense legacy. His tireless campaigning saw the Government commit to providing free health support for former sawmill workers who were exposed to dangerous chemicals on the job. His campaigning and networking saw local councils commit to cleaning up the toxic sites where the chemicals were dumped.

'Joe's journey took him from the Whakatane board mill all the way to Parliament. Joe was hugely respected wherever he went. The trade union movement is in mourning today.”

The tangi will be held at Toroa Marae, Patuwai Road, Whakatane, at 11am on January 12.