The Lake Hayes Pavilion was overflowing with mourners paying their respects to Moana-Roa ‘‘Chief’’ Haare (62), who died on March 23 while leading a commercial rafting trip on the Shotover River.
Preliminary postmortem results indicated the guide, who had worked with Queenstown Rafting since 1996, died from a medical event.
At his funeral his family thanked his employers, colleagues and friends for their efforts and support following his death.
"All the guys down the river with Dad have been outstanding," youngest daughter Rea said.
"I can see why he never left [Queenstown].
"Dad ... gave me some pretty hard lessons in life. This is one of them."
Mr Haare’s eldest daughter, Vanessa, said he was "Grandad Chief" to her children Alani, Xavier and Quinn.
His partner Charmaine said she was "fortunate enough to have two chances with Chief", a man who was a "very big part of my life".
"He was a beautiful partner and he just made everything good.‘‘It was so nice to watch him go to work every day and be happy."
