A 25-year-old Napier man who died tramping the Te Araroa Trail in the South Island is being remembered as an outdoorsman who loved his family, animals and music.
Emergency services were called to Lewis Pass Rd about 2pm on Thursday after concerns someone may have been swept into the Boyle River. Photo / Google Maps.
“He wanted to see everything and experience everything and it was a challenge for him and one he was looking forward to completing.”
McDade also had a passion for music and entertaining others with a guitar.
“Whenever he would stop at a backpackers or a hut somewhere on the way, he would be the one picking it up and playing and playing for people.”
The family wanted to thank emergency services that helped find McDade, and were grateful for the kind, empathetic, and professional response.
“The support from emergency services has been fantastic, we can’t say enough good things about them.”
The spokeswoman said a Givealittle had been set up in lieu of flowers for donations to the Te Araroa Trust, the organisation responsible for trail maintenance.
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.
