Jonah Lomu Aho Faka Famili service

Our journalists Lauren Priestley and Cherie Howie reported live from the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland as members of the Pasifika and other Auckland communities farewelled All Black legend Jonah Lomu.

• Friends and family pay tribute to All Black great Jonah Lomu at the Jonah Lomu Aho Faka Famili (Day of the Family) service
• Manu Vatuvei thanks Jonah's mum for "developing a lovely man"
• Len Brown: "He had a heart for the people"
• Lomu's sons kitted out in All Blacks number 11 jerseys
• Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae pays tribute to Jonah's "courage", "humility" and "grace under pressure"
• Jonah Lomu online tribute page

Pasifika communities gathered to pay tribute to All Black legend Jonah Lomu at the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland.

As it happened

4.34pm: After Lomu's body was taken away, the centre has quickly emptied.

The family will hold a private ceremony for the man they knew as a husband, father, brother, son and friend in coming days.

A public memorial will be held at Eden Park on Monday.

4.27pm: The hymn is resonating through the foyer as the community farewells the Son of the Pacific.

Everyone has filed out of the auditorium following the coffin, still singing as Lomu is placed into a waiting black hearse.

The hearse has left the centre, with Lomu inside.

Some watching members of the Pasifika community quietly called "Bye Lomu" as it passed but many were too emotional to speak.

Jonah Lomu's wife Nadene and sons Dhyreille (L) and Brayley leave the service. Photo / Doug Sherring

4.20pm: The pall bearers are carrying the coffin through the guard of honour, followed by Nadene and his two sons who are visibly upset with eyes cast down.

The rest of the family are following in the procession behind, with some wiping their eyes, as the hymn rises in volume to see Lomu out.

4.17pm: A Mana Whenua elder has done a farewell.

The group of about 150 still at the centre have gathered together near the coffin to sing Tongan Hymn 523.

A guard of honour has been formed to farewell the All Black legend from the auditorium, with one person holding a silver fern flag.

The casket leaves with family after the service. Photo / Doug Sherring

4.14pm: MC Eroni Clarke said he was the luckiest centre in the world, with Lomu supporting him on the wing.

"He was the greatest of us. Of all of out generations...Jonah was the greatest," he said.

4.07pm: The service has started again, with a prayer being said.

A group of students from Pacific Advance Senior School are paying tribute to Lomu with a waiata at the front of the auditorium.

One of the people in the PASS group said Lomu was a treasure for the whole community.
"I don't think there's an islander out there who hasn't [rejoiced] in the glory of being an islander because of some of this man's feats.

"So we share in the pain as well."

3.47pm: Former All Black Joeli Vidiri said he wanted to mourn and celebrate his former teammate, and support the family, especially Lomu's mother, Hepi.

"She was like a mother to me. I'm here to say my respects to a brother.

"I'm very sad that at 40 he's leaving us."

3.35pm: Music is playing in the auditorium as people make the most of the break to grab some kai and socialise.

The memorial is expected to wrap up shortly, after another couple of tributes.

Former All Black Michael Jones with a family member at the Jonah Lomu 'Aho Faka Famili event. Photo / Jason Oxenham

3.04pm: A song and dance is being performed by a cultural group at the front of the auditorium as close up photos of Lomu in his heyday are displayed on the screen.

The group, in black with black and white mats tied around their waists, bowed and left the stage.

A tribute is now being paid by an elder sitting on the mat at the front of the room.

A quick break is being held.

2.48pm: A Tongan community leader said Lomu was a wonderful son and a great sportsman.

He spoke of Lomu's ancestors who excelled in sport and made him the man he was.

"Such is the legacy. Such is the heritage that has been combined in this wonderful, gentle, loving giant.

"Life too short but what matters is [not] how long you live your life...what really matters is what you do with your life.

"My heart is full," he said.

The man and his wife are now singing a waiata for Lomu and his family.

Jonah Lomu's mother Hepi Lomu with young relatives outside the service. Photo / Doug Sherring

2.39pm: Warriors player Manu Vatuvei - whose nickname on the field is "the Beast - said Lomu was a special man.

He said Lomu was a true beast on the field but a humble gentleman off it.

"When he played on the field he was a beast and no one could stop him but when he was off the field he was a gentle giant," he said.

"To Jonah's mum, thanks you for developing a lovely man. A person that had a lot of heart."

He said the Warriors were amazed when Lomu came to visit their trainings, twice since Vatuvei has been in the team.

He offered a gift to the Lomu family from the Warriors and expressed support from the whole team.

2.29pm: A Samoan elder is speaking, in response to a gift given by the former Samoan players.

About 12 students from South Auckland charter school Pacific Advance Senior School, run by a trust lead by Michael Jones, have arrived in blue dresses.

Three Warriors players, in traditional dress, have moved forward to pay their respects.

2.22pm: A former Samoan player who spoke for the group said the team shared in the family's sorrow.

"The rugby fraternity, we play a small part in it and Jonah played a massive part...we all mourn with you. We all share your sorrow."

2.15pm: Former members of the Samoa rugby team have walked to the front of the room, facing the coffin and the Lomu family, to pay tribute.

2.13pm: Councillor Alf Filipaina, who grew up in South Auckland, said the whole community was mourning.

He said he and his brother Olsen Filipaina, a former rugby league player who represented New Zealand and Western Samoa, cried when they herd the news of Lomu's death.

"When Jonah passed away I rang Olsen and he cried.

"This is me standing here but please imagine quite a few people behind me to acknowledge Jonah's passing but also the love that I bring with me."

A young mourner at the service for Jonah Lomu. Photo / Doug Sherring

2.10pm: "People are coming together to pay respect to our man. He obviously touched a lot of people," Tana said.

2.08pm: Former All Black captain, and Lomu teammate, Tana Umaga said it was important to be in South Auckland, the heart of Lomu's community.

"We come to pay our respects in the area and with the people he grew up with."

2.04pm: The day was first for Nadene and the boys, Jones said.

"The whole focus is for them, and then for the rest of the community to have an opportunity to come and show support.

"This is what we always do, we just needed a bigger house ... it's going to lift the heart. Our hearts are warm today because unless you go through this part of the process it's harder to move forward. It's for her, but it's also for us."

Lomu was a "giant of a man, giant of the rugby world and a giant of a husband and father."

1.59pm: A guitar is being played as room is made for community groups to pay their respects.

Lomu's sons - both kitted out in All Blacks number 11 jerseys - are staying near their mother with one sitting on Nadene's lap at the front of the room, next to the coffin.

The mood has relaxed slightly with people singing along to the Pasifika acoustic tunes, but a sombre atmosphere remains.

1.54pm: Today's event was an "intimate and beautiful part of the mourning and the healing", Jones said.

The day of the family is "what we do, it's just that it's usually in a garage or living room".

"We're just so grateful that council has recognised we needed a big space", Jones said.

1.51pm: It is warm in the auditorium with many in the crowd waving flax fans as tributes are paid.

A series of Tongan prayers have been said, with the crowd murmuring as one.

1.50pm: Former All Black Michael Jones said Nadene's face said it all when the Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, spoke with her during the ceremony.

"Having two minutes talking with her is a taonga."

1.43pm: Another series of songs are being sung, as the crowds stand with hands clasped together.

A photo of Lomu, standing relaxed is displayed on the screens with the dates of his life: 1975-2015.

Members of the family are wiping tears from their cheeks.

A passage from the Bible is being read in Tongan.

1.31pm: The greeting hongi has been exchanged.

Photos of Lomu smiling with his friends and family, playing rugby, signing gear for fans and with his wife Nadene are being displayed on large screens as instrumental music is played.

Mana Whenua, the Mayor and Sir Jerry are lining up to pay their respects to Nadene and the two boys before leaving the auditorium.

The memorial will continue through MCs Eroni Clarke and John Pulu.

Mourners arrive at the Jonah Lomu 'Aho Faka Famili event. Photo / Doug Sherring

1.24pm: Former All Black and kidney disease sufferer Joeli Vidiri and All Black hooker Keven Mealamu have arrived at the centre, as waiata are sung.

A line of Lomu family members are exchanging hongi with a line of dignitaries including the Mayor and Sir Jerry.

Nadene and her two children Dhyreille and Brayley follow Jonah's casket into the service. Photo / Jason Oxenham

1.19pm: An emotional tribute has been spoken by Mayor Len Brown.

Voice cracking, Mr Brown spoke of his sorrow for the family and the loss New Zealand has seen with Lomu's death.

Lomu had a "south-side heart", Mr Brown said.

"He loved this place. I met him first here, we all knew of him first here...we listened to all the early stories coming coming through from Wesley. There was something special coming out of that school."

Mr Brown said Lomu was a "great king" and an "extraordinary man".

He spoke directly to Lomu's sons, saying he hoped they inherited their dad's community spirit.

"He had a heart for the people," he said.

"Everyone will be watching for the sporting ability, boys, but my hope is you'll inherit his community spirit.

"He has left an extraordinary legacy but in my heart that was his greatest."

Mr Brown then lead the auditorium in the singing of Whakaaria Mai.

Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife Lady Janine Mateparae at the service. Photo / Doug Sherring

1.11pm: Nadene Lomu's father Mervyn Quirk is paying tribute to the man he loved as a son. He said Lomu and his loved wife and sons would be reunited one day.

"This is a time of great sorrow, having lost a dear son.

"Jonah graced the rugby fields of the world and that's when I'm sure many of us got to know this young man and wished to know him more, because of the joy and pleasure that he brought to all who saw him play.

"His faith and his hope was that they (him and his family) could be together in the eternities."

John Lomu, Jonah's brother, follows the casket in. Photo / Jason Oxenham

1.00pm: Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae is now paying tribute to Lomu.

He said today was a solemn occasion but also a celebration.

"And Jonah's life is worth celebrating," he said.

Sir Jerry said Jonah would be remembered for his rugby prowess but also for his kindness and humility.

He was strong despite being dealt tough cards, he said.

"He impressed us with his courage, his humility, his grace under pressure ...his determination to use his influence and his mana for the benefit of others was exemplary.

"A great Totara has been cut down. And we will not see the likes of him again."

Jonah Lomu's casket is carried in at the 'Aho Faka Famili event at the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland. Photo / Doug Sherring

12.53pm: Nadene Lomu is sitting in the front row with her head bowed, with her two sons - Dhyreille and Brayley - on either side of her.

A forceful tribute has been spoken in Maori, followed by a waiata.

Former All Blacks Ofisa Tonuu, left, and Pita Alatini embrace. Photo / Jason Oxenham

12.50pm: E pa to hau, a famous tangi waiata is being sung.

Lights focused on the coffin holding Lomu's body make it the point of focus in the darkened auditorium.

12.42pm: A karakia is being performed, ending with Ake Ake Amine.
The crowd has been seated.

There are a couple of hundred people inside the auditorium.

Some younger family members are sitting on a mat in front of the coffin, as a welcome and tribute are spoken in Maori.

Jonah Lomu's mother Hepi Lomu. Photo / Doug Sherring

12.39pm:The national anthem is being sung by two boys and a girl, along with a guitar accompaniment, as the crowds stand.

The coffin, which is draped in a traditional cloth or mat, is surrounded by family members with their heads bowed.

12.34pm: The coffin has been carried in to the auditorium, welcomed by a Karanga and rousing haka.

Emotions are running high inside the packed room.

The coffin is being placed on a raised platform in front of the waiting masses.

12.32pm: Nadene Lomu wore a large hat to shield her face as Lomu's casket was removed from the hearse.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Jonah Lomu. Photo / Jason Oxenham

12.27pm: Lomu's wife Nadene, wearing a wide black hat, and two sons are being supported by family members outside. The boys are wearing All Black jerseys with Lomu on the back.

The pall bearers are preparing to bring the coffin in.

Jonah Lomu's wife Nadene and children Dhyreille and Brayley wearing their Lomu All Black jerseys. Photo / Doug Sherring

12.25pm: The All Black legend's brother John Lomu and a number of other family members wearing black with large traditional ta'ovala are waiting beside the hearse.

Strains of an acoustic guitar version of 'We're in heaven' can be heard in the auditorium.

Family members are exchanging hugs outside the centre.

12.20pm: Lomu's mother Hepi Lomu is sitting on a chair at the entrance to the centre.

A black hearse has just arrived, carrying the body of the All Black legend.

The coffin is laden with flowers.

12.11pm: Fomer All Blacks and Samoan rugby players have entered the centre in bright Pasifika shirts and black skirts.

Alama Ieremia and Pita Alatini were amongst the group.

Another musical performance is taking place, with a group singing smoothly to a piano.

12.00pm: MC John Pulu has told the waiting masses he understood the family was en route to the centre.

Samoan-born former All Black Eroni Clarke is also welcoming the crowd as MC.

11.55am: A series of musical performances are being performed in the auditorium.

An uplifting song is being sung with a guitar accompanying as the crowds wait.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation," the group sang.

A smattering of applause has followed the song, and guitar notes have come in to start the next piece.

11.50am: A moving guitar instrumental is being performed.

11.47am:Lomu's former teammates Michael Jones, Dylan Mika and Eric Rush have arrived.

The prayer has come to an end with another waiata being sung in the silence.

Michael Jones arrives at the memorial service for Jonah Lomu. Photo / Jason Oxenham

11.45am: A group of about 25 family members have lined up outside the venue. Hepi Lomu sits at the entrance, a man of the church at her side and a child on her knee.

A Wesley College group has arrived.

11.41am:A waiata has been sung by the emotional crowd and a karakia is being said.

The Lomu family is expected at the venue soon.

11.37am: The auditorium is filling up as solemn groups arrive at the centre.

A Pasifika community group has arrived, wearing black with black and white mats around their waists, and filed into the auditorium.

A welcome is being performed in the auditorium as those inside wait in silence for the Lomu family.

All Black legend Tana Umaga has arrived.

Tana Umaga arrives to pay tribute to Jonah Lomu. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Echoes of a Karanga call can be heard from the auditorium.

11.35am: Lomu's mother Hepi has arrived with family.

11:16am: Mayor Len Brown has arrived, wearing a black suit and offering condolences to the few people gathered outside.

Governor-General Jerry Mateparae and Mayor of Auckland Len Brown at a memorial service for Jonah Lomu. Photo / Jason Oxenham

11:16am: Mangere MP Su'a William Sio arrived at 11am with a group of fellow mourners

11:23am: Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae has arrived and is signing a memorial book.

Len Brown is waiting behind him for a turn to sign.

The Governor-general and Lady Janine met Brown at the entrance before being greeted by John Lomu with a traditional hongi. Sir Jerry also spent time with other members of the Lomu family.

Anna, Kaifa , Longo(5) and Siosaia (3) Kiole sign the condolence book. Photo / Jason Oxenham

11:20am: Lomu's brother John, wearing a large ta'ovala, has greeted Brown and others at the entrance to the arena.

11:19am: Some of the few people not in traditional Pasifika dress are wearing All Blacks jerseys with the number 11 on the back.

Len Brown has paused by the entrance to the centre, thought to be waiting for the Lomu family to arrive.

11:15am: Groups are huddled around black podiums in the foyer, signing memorial books with memories, sentiments and prayers for the Lomu family.

The weather seems to be mourning the loss of Lomu too, with misty rain -which had held off until now - closing in around the centre.\

It is a grey and humid day in South Auckland.

11:08am: A trickle of people, dressed in black with ta'ovala - traditional Tongan dress involving a woven mat tied around the waist - have arrived at the centre.

There are also flecks of purple seen in the crowd, the traditional Tongan colour of mourning.

Participants proceed through the foyer of the centre and take seats inside the auditorium, which has been set up as a symbol of the Lomu house for guests to pay their respects.

11am: Thousands of mourners are expected to descend on the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland this morning, to celebrate the life of All Black legend Jonah Lomu.