Blues lock succumbs to cancer
Haiu played 53 Super Rugby matches for the franchise, but retired in 2011 after being diagnosed with bone cancer in a rib.
"The Blues family are deeply saddened by this news," Blues chief executive Michael Redman said.
"Several of our players were close to Kurt and have spent time with him over the past weeks and months.
"It is clearly a tragedy for someone so young, and our thoughts are with Kurtis' family."
All Blacks legend Keven Mealamu, Haiu's former skipper at the Blues, tweeted: "Rest well my brother. Much love and blessing."
Current Blues captain Jerome Kaino said his thoughts were with Haiu's wife and two young daughters.
"Kurtis fought such a brave battle to be with them for as long as he could, which was typical of his character," he told TVNZ.
"I loved playing footy with Kurtis and I will treasure those memories."
The New Zealand Rugby Union in a statement has today expressed its sadness at the death of Haiu.
"This is a devastatingly sad time for Kurtis' young family, and for his rugby family," New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen said.
"Kurtis was a very talented rugby player who was also showing some great skills as a leader. Like a lot of forwards, he never shied away from the tough stuff and it is a real tragedy he didn't win this.
"We offer our condolences to Kurtis' family and our thoughts at this time are very much with Kurtis' wife Frieda, and their two daughters Aaliyah, 8, and Sienna, 6," he said.
Haiu was born in Whangarei in 1984. He made his provincial debut for Auckland in 2005 against the British & Irish Lions, playing over 70 games for the blue and whites through until 2010.
The following year he made his Blues' debut against the Hurricanes, going on to play 53 games for the franchise before his diagnosis with Ewings Sarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – prematurely ended his season and career.
A talented lock, his potential was identified early – he wore his first black jersey while at Sacred Heart College – and Haiu represented New Zealand at Secondary Schools (in 2002), Under-19 (2003) and Under-21 (2004) levels.
