Kings Arms' musical matriarch Maureen Gordon dies aged 86

A fixture of the New Zealand music scene, Maureen Gordon, has died aged 86, her family says.

Ms Gordon was the well-known publican of Auckland's Kings Arms Tavern for more than 40 years, and had only recently decided to sell the venue to developers.

She had suffered various health issues in recent years, including cancer, but was reluctant to talk about her problems with others.

As the proprietor of the Kings Arms, Ms Gordon gave many famous New Zealand acts their start, including The Datsuns and many others.

Tributes are flowing in from many who have known her or worked with her.

"Love you Maureen for all the years you would give me a pink lady (lemonade and raspberry) the nights you would look after me when the olds were having a blast ... you shared your love with my own children over the years you were truly one of a kind love you always," one person wrote.

"I've been going to the KA for around 16 years, my first gig I was only 14 and the bouncers wouldn't let me in ... she happened to be walking out and saw how disappointed I was, and said 'You can come in, but I'm going to watch you, and if I see you drink your out' ... That was my very first gig ever, never forget that," said another.