Local Tongans to farewell Lomu at Eden Park

Jonah Lomu's public memorial service is being held at Auckland's Eden Park on Monday. Photo / File

Members of Northland's Tongan community are planning to attend the public memorial service for All Black great Jonah Lomu at Eden Park on Monday.

The service will run from 1pm to 3pm and is expected to draw tens of thousands of people from all walks of life to the country's iconic sporting venue.

Mele Tukula moved to Whangarei a year ago after spending two decades in Auckland where she got to know Lomu and his family through the Mangere Methodist Youth group. When Lomu married his first wife, South African Tanya Rutter in 1996, Ms Tukula was among a Tongan delegation that visited the newlyweds at their Manukau Heights' Dr home.

"He was a good guy. When Lomu went to Wesley College he stopped coming to our youth group but his entire family was very close to mine, especially my father who he used to come to for help and guidance during his formative years," she said.

"We dedicate our love and sympathy to his family. His death is a big loss to the Tongan community worldwide because he put Tonga on the world map through his game."

She said Northland-based Tongans were currently discussing the possibility of attending the memorial and it was likely some would make it to Eden Park.

Tongans in Whangarei and Dargaville paid tribute to Lomu during their church services on Sunday.

There are more than 100 Tongans in Northland. Lomu unexpectedly passed away in Auckland last week at the age of 40.

A veteran of 73 tests for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2002, Lomu suffered from the rare kidney disorder known as nephrotic syndrome and had a kidney transplant in 2004 which assisted his battle for seven and a half years. But his body rejected the replacement organ in 2011.

He is survived by his wife, Nadene, and their young sons Brayley and Dhyreille.