Former New Zealand Test spinner Hedley Howarth has died aged 64, New Zealand Cricket said on Saturday.

A reliable orthodox left-arm bowler, Howarth played 30 Tests for New Zealand between 1969 and 1977, capturing 86 wickets at an average of 36.95.

"Hedley has a significant place in our international cricket history," New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said in a statement.

"His five-wicket bag against India at Nagpur in 1969 was a match winner that helped give New Zealand its first ever test win on the sub-continent."

Howarth's younger brother Geoff captained and coached New Zealand.