Police have named the man killed in last night's Waihi mine accident.
He was Tipiwai Stainton from Western Bay of Plenty.
Family members today paid tribute to the 29-year-old.
Kate Gardam posted a poignant message on Facebook today saying the tragic accident had left the whanau with an overwhelming sense of grief.
"Tradegy has hit our little whanau. We lost our darling Tip to a mining accident last night.
"We are all feeling very shocked and over whelmed at the moment as we try to come to terms with what has happened.
"There are no words to express the sadness we feel," she wrote.
Stainton's partner Ana-Lee Hemopo this morning updated a photo of the couple on her Facebook page.
Another friend said Stainton had worked in the mine for more than seven years and knew "every aspect of the place".
He was regarded as a "great guy" as well as being a keen hunter and fisherman.
His long-term partner Hemopo was said to be heartbroken.
The body of Mr Stainton was found when a front end loader rolled at a Waihi mine.
Police said he was found dead inside the wreckage after an underground mine rescue team carried out an overnight search for the missing man at the OceanaGold mine.
Police said he was killed after the front end loader he was in rolled down a shaft around 6.30pm yesterday.
Rescue teams last night searched through 40km of tunnels looking for him.
WorkSafe and police are investigating. Mining has been suspended while the inquiry is under way.
OceanaGold chief executive officer Mick Wilkes said the company was co-operating fully with authorities to determine the cause of the accident.
"We are all deeply saddened by this tragic event," Wilkes said.
"On behalf of all employees at OceanaGold I offer our deepest prayers and condolences to the family of the worker and employees of the mine."
Area Commander Inspector John Kelly thanked all those involved in the rescue operation and offered his sympathies to the family and friends of the dead man.
