About 200 people gathered at Campbells Bay, in Kakanui, yesterday, and after a short ceremony, roughly 30 surfers did a memorial paddle-out to remember Kereta Tatana (24), of Ahipara, Northland, and Whererika Popata (30), of Windsor, North Otago, who were swept off the rocks while gathering seafood in heavy seas and died below Harbour Tce, at Kakanui, last week.
Members of the community assisted emergency services crews in the search for the brothers after they were seen struggling in the water about 5.30pm on Tuesday.
Photo: Hamish MacLean
One of the men was found dead by a rescue helicopter and one was found dead by a surfer who helped get the victim on to a boat so he could be taken back to shore that evening.
Waitaki Boys' High School pupils performed a haka on the beach yesterday. A statement from the family read at the beach expressed their love for those who came to remember the two men.
