The New Zealand Herald is reporting that a Dawn Princess cruise passenger who was in critical condition has died. After assessing his serious condition the elderly Asian man was brought ashore on a tender boat and airlifted yesterday by Northland Electricity rescue helicopter. The senior passenger become ill when the ship was near the Bay of Islands.

The helicopter pilot said that the man was unconscious before he was taken to the Whangarei Hospital.
Northland DHB spokesperson confirmed that the passenger died this morning.

Each year around 60 cruise ships enter the Bay of Islands and Northland Electricity rescue helicopter has made three to four trips to cruise liners to assist the passangers and crew.

The Dawn Princess with 2272 passengers is expected to dock in Tauranga at tomorrow 5.45am.