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Dunedin broadcaster and city councillor Neil Collins died last night after an illness.

Mr Collins (77) began his career as a 17-year-old volunteer at 4XD in 1958.

• Radio waves goodbye

He was involved in 16 radiothons, eight telethons and two Miss New Zealand shows, and presented television weather and news.

Mr Collins interviewed everyone from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Sir Edmund Hillary.

He was elected to the Dunedin City Council in 1989, and served as a councillor for 23 years.

His last day at the microphone was in 2015, and included a conversation with then Prime Minister John Key, friends and colleagues.

Mr Collins said at the time it had been a privilege to work for so long in broadcasting.

"If there was a highlight it has to be meeting people I thought in my life I would never, ever have the chance to meet.

"In that category I would have to put people like Louis Armstrong - just being with him and spending a day or two.

"Johnny Cash - I've always liked Johnny Cash and he came in, and I drove him to the airport in my car.

"People like that - and yes, I was a decoy for The Beatles when they came to town - those sort of instances, when you look back in your life, you think 'gosh, I was very fortunate'.''