Slain good Samaritan's family speak

A family picture of Austin Hemmings with his wife Jenny and children Gareth, 16, Meghann (rear), 19, and Jessica, 17. Photo / Supplied

Austin Hemmings had a favourite saying - "Miss you already".

Last night, his family, friends and colleagues found themselves echoing his phrase.

Still stunned by the loss of a man who led an exemplary life, his family say Mr Hemmings died the way he lived - trying to help.

"They said he was a good Samaritan," older brother Grant, 48, said.

"Austin is. And he died doing what he believed in, which was going and helping somebody who needed help, and that's him in a nutshell, really. He's a guy who never strayed from what he believed in."

Austin Hemmings, 44, was fatally stabbed after going to the aid of a woman who was screaming for help in downtown Auckland on Thursday.

Yesterday, after helping remove his body from Mills Lane, the family invited the Weekend Herald into their Devonport home.

The close-knit family, who are united by a deep Christian faith, are not angry or bitter about what happened, choosing instead to focus on their love for a man who led by example.

Mr Hemmings' wife, Jenny, described a man who kissed her every morning and hugged his children every day.

"I've had 25 wonderful, wonderful years with a man who has a deep faith and love for his family that goes to the core of his being," she said.

Craig Hemmings, 50, said his brother was a "humble guy" who "never put a foot wrong in his life".

"He'd get up each morning and pray for his family, family friends, work colleagues and his country. He felt very strongly about praying for his country - men standing up and being men in New Zealand."

Austin Hemmings' children - Meghann, 19, Jessica, 17, and Gareth, 16 - said their Dad was also their friend.

"The best memory is that there aren't any bad memories," said Gareth.

Meghann described her father as an "incredible role model" who had an "unmovable, unshakeable faith".

"I really looked up to him and really wanted to please him and always listened intently to what he had to say."

Meghann's siblings said their father also listened to them.

Mrs Hemmings said her husband was a proud father. Flicking through countless family snapshots of their travels, she said he loved taking the family "exploring" NZ. Next weekend, they were going to Northland.

And last month, Mr Hemmings took his wife on a "trip down memory lane", back to her hometown of Gore in Southland.