Newton initially represented England and Great Britain during his career before switching to New Zealand, and won the first of three Commonwealth Games gold medals in Perth in 1962 in the featherweight division.

He won the silver medal at lightweight level in Kingston in 1966 before winning in the weight category again in Edinburgh 1970.

He then won a third gold medal in Christchurch, New Zealand, four years later.

The Guyanese born lifter also competed at the 1964 and 1972 Olympic Games.

"He stood out to New Zealanders even when competing for England as he took the gold medal at the hugely significant Christchurch Commonwealth Games in 1974," said NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith.

"He then chose this far off nation in the South Pacific as his new home and represented us with honour in 1978.

"As a Commonwealth gold medallist he holds a special place in New Zealand's proud sporting history.

"Like all our athletes, and our medallists in particular, George has been an inspiration and has helped shaped who we are today."

Fellow gold medal winning New Zealand weightlifter Tony Ebert said the athlete had an "incredible" physique and said he had a "lovely personality".

"The NZOC's thoughts and prayers are with the Newton family and the weightlifting community at this time," said a statement.