Family, friends and members of the Fijian Indian community have bid farewell to Janesh Prasad, who was killed in Saturday's tornado when it slammed into the port at Wiri.
The funeral was put on free while a GiveaLittle fundraiser for his wife and children is closing in on $100,000.
For the thousand people who attended Prasad's funeral, there was a reminder that life can be as fragile.
Prasad was picked up by a tornado and flung against a hard object while working at the Ports of Auckland Freight Hub in Wiri
Even though the weather had turned nasty he still showed up for work.
The diesel mechanic is survived by his wife Mala, 13-year-old daughter Ashley and 10-year-old son Jesh. Both of his children spoke at his funeral.
"My dad was a very intelligent person, he was a very happy guy, always making everyone laugh," Ashley said.
"My papa wanted me to study hard and become successful," Jesh said. "I will miss my papa a lot and everything we did together."
A message from his widow was read out on her behalf: "He has left me physically today but he will always be part of me, he is my soulmate."
The family's residency in New Zealand was reliant on Prasad having a job. Now there's a call for them to be allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds.
And there could be encouraging news on that front - Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi says officials will be in touch with the family soon to address any issues they have.
At his funeral Prasad was remembered as a hard worker, who loved cookery and football, who always put his family first and always had a smile on his face
COVID-19 restrictions mean his parents watched the funeral on livestream in Fiji, where the disease is running rife. He'd been providing for them too, but a Givealittle fund may now help, if only briefly.
