The 21-year-old man killed in the hot-air balloon tragedy in Carterton has been remembered as a wise, patient young man who supported both the Springboks and the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup.
Chrisjan Jordaan and his girlfriend, 19-year-old Alexis Still, were among 11 people killed when the hot-air balloon they were in hit a power line, caught fire and crashed into a Carterton field early on Saturday.
The pair's bodies were the first to be released to their families last night.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced but their parents issued statements last night.
Chrisjan's parents, Jan and Annie, said they remembered him as a young man filled with wisdom and patience, always up for a laugh and a wrestle with his two older sisters.
Chrisjan grew up in Randfontein, South Africa and came to New Zealand in 2004 where he started his high school education at Northern Southland College in Lumsden and completed it at Southland Boys High School.
He moved to Wellington where he completed his first year in architecture but then decided to do a gap year where he did an internship with Arise Church in Wellington, through Bible College.
"During this time, our son went on a mission trip to Africa. Upon his return he decided to begin studying nursing instead at Massey University, to allow him to do further mission work.''
On the weekends he worked for a builder because "he saw nursing and building as two good skills he needed for this
goal.''
He had a love for rugby and supported both the Springboks and the All Blacks in this year's Rugby World Cup.
"Chrisjan was the most motivated person you could ever meet, always on the go, achieving something every day.''
Alexis was remembered by her parents, Allan and Vivienne, as a "beautiful'' daughter who was highly creative.
She was born in Dunedin, raised in Rotorua and lived in Wellington for the past four years.
When she finished school at Onslow College in Johnsonville she took a gap year where she travelled to Rarotonga, Mozambique and Malawi.
She came back and completed one year studying nursing at Massey University and intended to nurse in Africa and write about her experiences.
"Our daughter influenced people and moved them along in their life journey - moving them away from bad decisions and choices.
"She was inspirational in so many ways. She was a passionate and humble soul with mighty aspirations and a wicked sense of humour. She was courageous, exceptionally talented and wise beyond her years.''
