Southern Opera founder, international opera singer and former New Zealand Cricket chief executive Christopher Doig has died in Christchurch.

Mr Doig was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago. He resigned as the Chair of the Arts Council of NZ in 2007 to lead “Project Opera”, aiming to ensure the survival of opera in the South Island after Canterbury Opera went into liquidation.

He was recently involved with bringing the Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo and Welsh opera star Katherin Jenkins to New Zealand for a concert that raised over $300,000 for Canterbury arts organisations.

He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June this year.

Prime Minister John Key said the country had lost a remarkable New Zealander with the passing of Christopher Doig. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Chris, who I was fortunate to get to know in recent years and to see just last week,” Mr Key said. “Chris was a remarkable New Zealander – he made a great contribution to our country in both culture and sport. Even in his final days he was helping the people of Christchurch as a driving force behind the Placido Domingo concert."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said it was an honour and a privilege to have known Mr Doig. "He will be fondly remembered for his contributions not only to cricket but his service to other sports, the arts and the community."

New Zealand Cricket general manager of domestic cricket Kerry Dellaca said Mr Doig had had a wonderful vision for what he wanted to achieve. "No challenge was ever too great for him and his passion for whatever he was doing was undeniable."

Southern Opera last week launched The Christopher Doig Scholarship to celebrate his contribution to opera and the arts in Canterbury and New Zealand.