Longtime Porirua police officer Aporo Joyce in 2006 when he was president of the Porirua Returned Services' Association. He was killed while walking across a pedestrian crossing on Wednesday. Photo/File
One of Porirua's most lovable characters was killed by a car as he crossed a local pedestrian crossing.
Family, friends and others in the community are now mourning former policeman and community advocate Aporo Joyce.
His wife, Brenda Joyce, has been left devastated.
Known as "Ap" or "Koro Ap" by his family, he could relate to any ethnic group, his wife told Fairfax.
"He didn't differentiate between people, whether they were gang members or the mayor."
She said her husband had been planting in his vegetable garden the day he died.
About 6pm, the 79-year-old was hit and killed by a car in Tawa, north of Wellington.
The crash happened on Main Rd, near the junction with Essex St.
No charges have been laid in relation to his death. Police said the driver of the car that hit Joyce had been spoken to, and the Serious Crash Unit was investigating.
Joyce, from the Ngapuhi iwi, started his police career in Auckland, before being transferred to Wellington, where he was a member of the Armed Offenders Squad and dog squad.
He chose to be stationed in Waitangirua, then Cannons Creek, where he focused on helping the area's young people.
Lesley Mokomoko told Fairfax her uncle loved having his photo taken.
"He was good looking, and he always reminded us of that," she laughed.
"Uncle Ap" would rest at Porirua's Maraeroa Marae before being taken home to the Hokianga, she said.
Porirua Deputy Mayor Izzy Ford said Joyce would be missed by the city he had done so much for.
Police say thousands of people were affected by today's convoy.