The man who died following an accident during a training exercise in Auckland has been named.
He was Lance Corporal Nicholas Kahotea, 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment.
He will be remembered as a professional soldier, a father, and a friend to many.
Kahotea joined the New Zealand Army in 2006 as an engineer. In 2014, he was badged as an NZSAS operator.
He served in Afghanistan, and was awarded four medals for his service.
"He was an outstanding soldier and a top bloke," said Chief of Army Major General John Boswell in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
"I know his family, friends and colleagues will be keenly feeling the loss, and we offer our deepest condolences," he said.
An investigation into the accident that resulted in Kahotea's death is being investigated by police, on behalf of the Coroner.
The exercise, being carried out alongside the United States forces, has been suspended.
Newshub.
