A UK tourist who was killed in a car crash on South Island's West Coast is being remembered as a loving, caring and intelligent young man.
Joseph Snode, 26, died in the single-vehicle crash on Otira Highway/State Highway 73 on January 28.
Three other occupants suffered minor injuries in the collision.
"Our thoughts are with Mr Snode's friends and whānau during this difficult time," a police spokesperson said in a statement.
"Joseph was tragically killed in a road accident in New Zealand, leaving behind his loving parents, his sister whom he was very close to, his girlfriend and many, many friends," his mother Elaine wrote on a GoFundMe page.
Joseph, from High Wycombe in England's Buckinghamshire, worked for four years at Buckingham University as its events and venue manager to save money for his dream to put his backpack on and travel the world and take photos, the GoFundMe post said.
"Joseph was always full of life and a loving, caring, intelligent young man and everywhere he went he made friends who he kept in touch with."
He arrived in New Zealand in early January, which is a place special to his family, being Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fans.
"He visited Hobbiton and other LOTR sites and had a few days hiking on his own along the Abel Tasman Coast Track," the post continued.
"We had no idea these magical days were to be his final days in NZ. He was given a lift in a car to Christchurch that crashed, killing him instantly, the other occupants had minor injuries.
"Nothing can express the pain and despair that is being felt by his family and friends all over the world. Joseph had so many plans for his future and he was literally living his dream life before it was taken from him.
"Joseph was one in a billion and we are helped by hearing all the wonderful stories and seeing the photos his many friends around the world are sharing with us."
