Beloved New Zealand composer Martin Lodge has died only days after reaching his 70th birthday.

Well-known internationally, the musician and Professor passed away on December 18 at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022.

Lodge won acclaim amongst music lovers for incorporating traditional Maori instruments, rock music and computers into his compositions.

The Centre for New Zealand Music (Sounz) took to social media last month to pay tribute to the innovative composer.

‘We are saddened to report the passing of treasured New Zealand composer Martin Lodge, who passed away peacefully in hospital earlier this week, having just celebrated his 70th birthday,’ Sounz posted on Instagram.

Lodge, who was also a musicologist, was much admired figure at the University of Waikato where he taught for 27 years.

Beloved New Zealand composer Martin Lodge has died only days after reaching his 70th birthday. Lodge won acclaim amongst music lovers for incorporating traditional Maori instruments, rock music and computers into his compositions. (Pictured)

He was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor by the institution in 2023. 

‘Professor Lodge made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand music and the development of music at the University of Waikato,’ the university posted in an official tribute in December.

Their obituary also noted: ‘He also conceived, commissioned, and fundraised for the University’s collection of traditional instruments, Te Kohinga Taonga Pūoro.’

Lodge was also the first professor of music at the Uni of Waikato and was crucial to the development of music as a subject for academic research.

Born in Tauranga in 1953, Lodge began his career as a freelance composer after studying music and languages in New Zealand and in Australia at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music.

He later went on to become musician in residence at the University of Otago and composer in residence for the Auckland Philharmonia.

Lodge began his decades-long association at the University of Waikato in 1995. 

His compositions have been regularly performed in New Zealand, North America and Europe, reported Sounz in their official biography of the composer.

Well-known internationally the teacher and musician passed away on December 18 at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022

His works includes pieces composed for Ogen Trio in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 

Among his best known pieces are Hinterland, composed in 1998 and Toru (2003) which was written for traditional Maori instruments as well as cello and clarinet.

He also recorded a CD of his music in 2011.

Lodge is survived by his wife, daughter Alexandra and son Maximillian and grandchildren Theodore and Winnie.

The New Zealand Herald’s obituary added, ‘He will be greatly mourned by many friends in Aotearoa and overseas, but none more so than his cherished siblings and their families; Trish (Auckland), Barbara (Queensland), Katrina (Geraldine) and Graeme (Tasmania).’