Family members performed a haka for slain Senior Constable Len Snee as his body was taken away from his funeral at the Napier Municipal Theatre today.
Earlier his coffin passed through a police guard of honour which included injured colleague Grant Diver and 26 police dogs.
Mr Snee's children told
a packed theatre their dad was a man they looked up to and aspired to be.
His sons Joe and Sam Snee said they had admired and respected their father, who was a calm, gentle, but strong man.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad said Len Snee was a hero every working day.
"Len was not just a hero on the day he died. Len was a hero every day he went to work," Mr Broad told mourners who far exceeded the capacity of the theatre.
Police chaplain Trevor Harrison described Mr Snee as a quiet and modest man.
Thousands of people packed both inside and outside theatre for today's service.
Mr Snee was gunned down by Jan Molenaar on Napier Hill last Thursday, starting a siege that lasted two days.
High-ranking senior officers from across the Tasman flew over to pay homage and police stations around New South Wales are flying their flags at half-mast today as a sign of respect.
Prime Minister John Key, Police Minister Judith Collins and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples are also paying tribute, along with several Opposition MPs and local mayors.
The service was broadcast outside for members of the public to watch and listen to.
Police cordoned off two blocks of the central city to allow for the influx of people attending the service.
In the days after his death, Mr Snee was remembered as a rugby mad good guy, a well-like officer who used unorthodox methods and was "a good thief catcher".
A stalwart of Napier Technical Old Boys, he played top club rugby into his 40s, played first class rugby for Hawke's Bay and New Zealand Combined Services.
Parliament observed a minute's silence yesterday for Mr Snee.
- with NEWSTALK, NZPA
