Dax Holland homicide: Public welcome at funeral for Tauranga rough sleeper

Dax Holland was a long-time member of Tauranga’s homeless community and a regular at community meals. Photo / Facebook

The public will be welcome at a funeral service for a Tauranga rough sleeper after an “outpouring of grief” in the community.

Police have said Dax Rodney Holland’s body was discovered in a secluded area of Tauranga’s Wharepai Domain on February 14.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with Holland’s murder.

Holland, 54, has been described as well-known around Tauranga, a regular attendee at community meals, and the “big guardian of the CBD”.

Elliotts Funeral Services assistant manager Yvonne Winch said with family consent, they were holding a public service for a “very special and colourful character, who had graced our city streets for many years”.

Holland’s immediate family had already held a private family service to celebrate his life.

“They are happy that the community Dax was so passionate about can come together and remember him.”

The chapel, at 414 Cameron Rd, will open at 1pm where mourners can write a personal message on Holland’s casket.

The official service will begin at 1.30pm.

“We felt we could support our community and make a positive contribution at such a distressing time by providing a place for those who wish to come together and acknowledge the loss of a popular and much-loved member of our community,” Winch said.

Dax Holland has been described by members of the community as a thoughtful and knowledgeable person who enjoyed deep conversations. Photo / Facebook

She said everyone was “most welcome”, and Elliotts would provide light refreshments between 2pm and 3pm.

Holland would be privately cremated.

Last week, two memorial services were held for Holland - one at Under the Stars and the other at the Lifezone Church in Judea.

Dozens of people shared memories of Holland and condolences on social media.

Several spoke of him helping people living on the street, and other comments described him as humble and “harmless”, having “touched many lives”.

One poster wrote: “You will be truely [sic] missed from the community bro, you touched so many people life’s [sic] thank you for being you. Love hearing all the stories about you just being you.”

Another post reads: “Bless you, Dax for keeping an eye & care for my son when on the streets, you’re an Angel returned home...Arohanui mai”.

Murder-accused in court

The 24-year-old charged with Holland’s murder has been granted interim name suppression.

The man has been remanded in custody. He did not enter a plea to the charge in court appearances in Tauranga on Saturday and Monday.

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.