Devastated family and friends yesterday farewelled Dale Baker, "a top bloke", who lost his life in a jet-boating accident on the Ngaruroro River a week ago.
A funeral service for the Onaero resident was held at Waitara War Memorial Hall yesterday.
Among the mourners was partner Julie Williams who had been on the boat when it hit a willow tree just before midday last Saturday, during a sanctioned "club run" with two other craft from the Jet Boating New Zealand Taranaki Branch.
In a death notice, Ms Williams described the 51-year-old as her "dearly loved best friend", finishing with the line, " ... our journey had just begun".
Friend Darrell Nicholas, who knew Mr Baker from their days at Waitara High School, said the family were still very much in shock.