The man killed in Monday's crash was "the backbone" of the Rotorua Martial Arts Academy, providing endless hours of support to the club and enabling its members to travel overseas.
Allen Anderson, 63, died instantly in the crash involving his van and a logging truck on State Highway 30 near Horohoro just after 5pm. He had been on his way to training in Ngakuru with his 11-year-old granddaughter, Kaylin, who received minor injuries. Club co-founder Shihan Inuhaere was travelling a few minutes behind. "It was devastating," she said.
"Allen was one of our originals. Every fundraiser, demo, tournament we hosted or visited, every event, he was involved in. Lately he was the backbone of the school on so many levels.
"He was a brilliant person, down to earth. He adored the kids, not just his granddaughter but all the kids at the academy. He would go out of his way to help you. This is a massive loss for us, it goes without saying that the school won't be the same without him."
The club is due to host an international event at Rotorua Girls' High School in November, which Mr Anderson had already fundraised for, and it would be dedicated to his memory.