Stephen Combe (42) was farewelled at a memorial service at St Andrew's Church, Wanaka, on Saturday, 10 days after the Wanaka pilot was killed in a helicopter crash near Queenstown.
Mr Combe's wife, Stephanie, and family said in a statement he was remembered as an ''incredibly special husband, father, son, and brother''.
''Steve will be remembered by all for his faith, dedication to family, and willingness to help others. He loved people and had a particular way of engaging with them, especially young people. His smile and warmth touched so many and will be missed.''
The Combe family also expressed its ''deep sadness at the loss of Steve's much loved friend and colleague'' James Patterson Gardner (18).
Both men died when the Robinson R44 helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the Lochy River basin, near Queenstown, on February 19.
''Steve thought so highly of James and used to come home with many stories of what a special young man he was,'' the Combe family statement said.
A memorial service was held for Mr Patterson Gardner in Arrowtown last Thursday.
