Marking a year since Austin Hemmings dies trying to help someone else, his family and friends yesterday gathered at the spot where he collapsed after being stabbed.
The 44-year-old Devonport resident was hailed a hero after going to the aid of a woman who was attacked behind the central Auckland office block where he worked.
Mr Hemmings left behind his wife, Jenny, and three teenagechildren, Meghann, Jessica and Gareth. Yesterday there were tears, hugs and laughter as each spoke and laid flowers in the Mills Lane alleyway he staggered to looking for help after being stabbed.
Other friends, colleagues and family members - including Mr Hemmings' parents, Dick and Greta, and his brothers Craig and Grant - came from around the country to pay their respects.
A colleague said a Maori karakia before the group visited Mr Hemmings' former employers' new building at the Viaduct.
Staff at the NZI Centre invited the family to visit the Hemmings Room dedicated to his memory.
A plaque in the room reads: "He was a giant amongst us that stepped in without hesitation to protect a woman in need one night and tragically lost his own life. His courage was testimony to the type of man he was - but he was already our hero."
Mr Hemmings' father, Dick, who came to Auckland from Matamata with his wife, Greta, said the family hoped to sprinkle his son's ashes around the graves of his parents at a cemetery near their farm.
"It's an honour to be associated with a son who has showed such tremendous character in a lot of areas, particularly in his final moments.
"He was a real people's person with a lot of integrity. That's very satisfying. But time does heal."
Pauesi Brown will be back in court next month over the death of Mr Hemmings. His fathert said he had not been following the court case.
"It takes a toll on your emotions so it's best to get clear of it and let justice take its course. I feel very sorry for the guy, he was such a poor specimen and I feel that his future is pretty dim.
"There's no use wasting emotion on resentment otherwise you're the one that suffers again. Just clear your mind of it, just let it go."
Mr Hemmings' brother Craig said the family still missed him "every second of every day".
"We've come up here to support Jenny and the kids ... It's hard to believe he's gone."
NZI executive general manager KarlArmstrong said branches around the country held morning teas yesterday or observed moments of silence in memory of Mr Hemmings.
Mr Hemmings was named the Herald's New Zealander of the Year this year jointly with a hero of the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy, Elim Christian College teacher Tony McClean.
Family and colleagues remember slain hero
Flowers were laid in Mills Lane where Austin Hemmings died after being stabbed. Photo / Greg Bowker
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