Diver was due to wed

Neville Poole, drowned in a diving accident near Great Barrier Island. Photo / Supplied

A father who died while diving off Great Barrier Island was due to marry in eight weeks.

Builder Neville Poole, 42, and his fiancee Trish were planning to wed in West Auckland on April 2.

In a tribute, Trish said: "My dearly beloved Nev, I shall love you and miss you all the days of my life."

Poole was diving in Blind Bay when tragedy struck on January 25.

When he surfaced but then disappeared, a friend raised the alarm.

Police co-ordinated a search that also included the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, two Navy boats, local divers and fishermen.

Divers found Poole near where he went missing.

Poole was a father and stepfather of two.

About 300 people packed St Peter's Anglican Church in Takapuna for his funeral on Tuesday.

Poole's death has been referred to the Coroner.