Well-liked farmer will be piped out

Ian Mckenzie was in his element when he played the bagpipes and would often play them while he walked through the paddocks of his farm.

Ian McKenzie will be remembered as the "rock" of the McKenzie family - a real Kiwi farmer with a huge heart.

The 75-year-old was well liked in the Pukehina farming area, having lived there for 34 years.

Mr McKenzie died on Tuesday after he was struck and killed by a vehicle on Old Coach Rd, in Pukehina, while he was shifting stock with his son.

Early indications suggested the driver of the car was affected by sun strike, Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford said.

Speaking to the Bay of Plenty Times from their Ohinepanea home of 34 years, Mr McKenzie's family said they did not blame the driver of the car for what they called a "tragedy on both sides".

He was a local man, a friend, and would often stop to say hello. He would be hurting as much as they were, Mr McKenzie's son Robert said.

"We understand it was an accident and they happen."

Mr McKenzie saw the car coming and was waving his arms to slow it down to protect the stock behind him, "but he just didn't see him," Robert said.

Mr McKenzie's wife of 55 years, Kay, said she would hold on to "a lifetime of great memories" shared with her husband.

He was a "big Viking, towering at 6ft 4in" and a strong build.

"He was such a rock for us," she said. "A big strong man. He gave me the best hugs."

He was a farmer his whole life, moving to Pukehina 34 years ago from their Waikato dairy farm to grow kiwifruit.

Their friends had all since moved to retirement villages but "that just wasn't him", Mrs McKenzie said. "He would have gone crazy with boredom."

Most days, Mr McKenzie would be found on their 80-acre (32ha) dairy farm and kiwifruit orchard, dressed in stubbies and gumboots, with his numerous dogs trailing alongside him.

He was such a rock for us. A big strong man. He gave me the best hugs.

Kay McKenzie

"These dogs are grieving just as much as we are," Mrs McKenzie said.

Strays would turn up, starving and unwell, and Mr McKenzie would take them in and make them part of the family, she said.

He was a lover of all animals, the outdoors, and a talented musician, having learnt the bagpipes since he was 8 years old.

The bagpipes were a huge part of his life and wherever the couple lived he would join the local pipe band.

He had played at many of their friends' and family members' funerals, but now it was his turn to be "piped out", Mrs McKenzie said.

A friend and fellow piper would perform The Flowers of the Forest at his farewell, a song he could play like no one else, Mrs McKenzie said.

The couple were never far apart in their 55 years of marriage.

"We had such a loving relationship. We did everything together, even the groceries.

"He always opened the door for me when we went anywhere, which I thought was great."

Mrs McKenzie was expecting a big family turnout this week, with his six siblings all still alive and their numerous children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robert McKenzie, who was with his dad at the time of the crash, would remember his dad for the "hunting" trips they took just as an excuse to get into the bush.

His dad never wanted to kill animals and they would just watch them come and go while they enjoyed the outdoors, he said.

"I respected him a lot."

Mr McKenzie is survived by his wife Kay, their three children Robert, Tim and Angela, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.