Apple's board of directors announced that Jobs has passed away and issued the following statement today "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

Jobs has previously been called by Andy Grove, the former chairman and CEO of Intel, the most inspirational leader in Silicon Valley.

Today Apple's New Zealand partners also paid tribute.

Renaissance CEO Richard Webb says it is a sad day. "He was an extraordinary contributor to an amazingly dynamic industry. We will miss him. I have a great respect for his innovative capacity."

Kelly Eyerman, senior business development manager at Ingram Micro responsible for the Apple division also says: "It is a sad day for the IT industry."