The lead singer and percussionist with New Zealand band Hogsnort Rupert has died.

Alec Wishart helped found the band in 1968, and was the voice out front of a string of hugely popular hits in the 70s.

They released their first hit - Pretty Girl - in 1970.

It reached number one and was the biggest selling single in New Zealand that year.

Another hit considered the unusual gifts often given at weddings.

Auntie Alice Bought Us this was a hit in 1971.

Wishart was 76, and died of lung cancer in Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital on Friday, surrounded by family.

Hogsnort Rupert became one of the longest-running bands in New Zealand music history, and celebrated 40 years together with a national tour in 2010.