The picturesque west Auckland coastline was a fitting backdrop for the funeral of Craig Stevens, the second volunteer firefighter killed in the Muriwai landslide as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Around 300 friends, family and colleagues gathered at Purihoa Farm on Wednesday to bid him a final farewell.
A boardriders guard of honour followed by a chain of BMX bikers was how volunteer firefighter Craig Stevens was farewelled before he began his final journey with his first love, his family, by his side.
"The gap you are leaving in our lives is incomprehensible. You were the most incredible Dad and husband and we felt so loved," Craig's wife Lucy Stevens said.
His wife, Lucy, with whom he immigrated with from the UK eight years ago, described him as the ultimate adrenaline junkie and hero to their two sons, Kauri and Tai.
Craig spoke fondly of his two children in a documentary he had made about his life
"Kauri and Tai, those little guys fill me with pride every day," Craig said in the documentary.
Craig died weeks before his 40th birthday.
"Craig, you fought right through to the end and it's not going to be the same with you gone," brigade member and Muriwai local Phelan Pirrie said.
A fight he undertook with bravery before ultimately succumbing to the injuries he suffered in the Muriwai landslide while protecting the community he'd fallen in love with.
"We would often stand on the deck looking at the sea, the beautiful sunsets and the night sky, talking about how we couldn't believe we were actually living our dream," Lucy said.
He certainly did live the dream with mountain biking, surfing and BMX being more than just hobbies.
"BMX I feel gave me everything, I feel indebted to it. All of my friendships, my relationships with my wife, down to my children, down to my attitude and outlook on life," Craig said.
Craig touched an entire community and it simply won't be the same without him.
