Memories flow at packed service

Bike champion: Paul Brown won the first national Motard championship held in 2005. Photo / Supplied

Paul Brown was the kind of guy who would go to his mate's place in the early hours, take his lawnmower on to his roof and start it up for a laugh.

He'd also perform wheelies on scooters and would drive bulldozers down near-vertical hills if given the chance.

But he was also a man with a deep faith in God, who loved his children and would hold his friend's hand and cry.

These memories were shared with mourners at the funeral service for Mr Brown, a father of two, who was killed on Sunday at Waerenga near Te Kauwhata when his motorbike collided with a police car making a u-turn to chase his friend, who was allegedly speeding.

His death came a month before his 38th birthday and was a devastating blow for his parents, John and Jenny Brown, who had already lost two other sons - one in another motorcycle accident.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Waerenga Community Hall with dozens having to stand outside for yesterday's service.

His best friend's mother, Colleen Jackson, who worked with Mr Brown in Te Kauwhata, said he was a unique character who always had a joke to share "and often would comment on how lovely we looked whether we did or not.

"He loved life, loved his family, loved his two children but he loved his bikes, often telling us he couldn't live without his bikes.

"They were his passion," she said.

Mr Brown, who had lived in the Waerenga/Te Kauwhata area all of his life, was a champion Motard rider.

He won the first national championship in 2005 but his racing career was curtailed by a back injury in 2008.

He was to have an operation on his back soon.

His brother-in-law Stuart Maxwell said Mr Brown, while personable, had an arrogant streak about him.

But he was always compassionate and tender.

"He was the sort of guy who would hold my hand and cry, we would cry together," he said. "Not many guys would do that."

Another friend said on one occasion he and Mr Brown went to a mate's house in Kopu for a beer.

His friend would not answer the door so they got his lawnmower, climbed on to his roof with it, started it up and ran off.

Dozens of his motorcycle-riding friends, many not wearing helmets despite two police cars being present, led his funeral procession to Waerenga Cemetery.

Mr Brown's coffin was carried in his friend's motorbike trailer.

Mr Brown's best friend and pall-bearer, Carl Jackson, was questioned by police on Thursday.

His alleged speeding led to the highway patrol officer making his three-point turn just moments before Mr Brown was killed.

It is not known whether Mr Jackson will face any charges.

The CIB, police serious crash unit and Independent Police Complaints Authority and the coroner are investigating the crash.