Around 350 to 400 people gathered at the St James Theatre in Auckland to farewell Helena McAlpine Barton, who recently died after a long battle with breast cancer.
The service was led by broadcaster John Campbell, with speakers including Liz Lyons, Shauvaugn Ruakere, husband Chris Barton and daughter Shannon McAlpine. A screen at the service showed tweets in tribute to Ms McAlpine, collected under the hashtag #WeHeartHelena.
Ms McAlpine, 37, died last week after a high-profile battle with breast cancer. The service began at 2pm and an "after party" was held in her honour at the Sweat Shop Brew Bar on Sale St. British-born McAlpine was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.