Hayden Marshall-Inman has been farewelled as a local hero in Whakatane.
The helicopter pilots who rescued survivors of White Island say they found Marshall-Inman unresponsive and 50 metres away from the injured, and left his body against a rock.
They said he put the lives of the tourists before his own.
Symbols of Marshall-Inman's life were set out on an alter, and his absence was replaced by his love of rugby and adventure instead.
The jersey of his favourite team, the Chiefs, was worn on the backs of friends and family.
It was a fitting tribute to the tour guide who never returned from his 1011th trip to Whakaari/White Island.
"Sadly a moment in time has taken my brother… son, uncle, nephew, godfather and hero," said brother Mark Inman.
"We know you will be the last man off that island.. Kia Kaha, you've done New Zealand proud."
The two families of Marshall Inman and Tipene Maangi, who were once strangers, are now united by their loss.
"He would always leave a $5 note behind, but he wouldn't tell anyone about it because he did it out of the kindness of his heart," Marshall-Inman's niece Abby said.
