Family fly from US for slain jailer's funeral

Family members of slain prison officer Jason Palmer have made the journey from half a world away to Pukekohe for his funeral today.

Mr Palmer, a former marine who moved to New Zealand eight years ago, died after allegedly being punched by an inmate on Sunday last week at Spring Hill prison in the Waikato.

He was 33 years old and married with two children, aged 5 and 2.

The Herald understands family members from Virginia in the United States arrived in Auckland on Friday and Saturday for today's funeral in the Pukekohe Town Hall.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Rebecca Powell said the family were focused on "grieving for a treasured father, husband, son and brother while arranging a funeral that celebrates Jason's life".

Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon said prison union officers from New South Wales and Western Australia would also attend the funeral in a show of solidarity for their fellow officer, the first prison guard to die on duty in New Zealand.

Last week, the Labour Department said that its investigation into Mr Palmer's killing would run alongside the police inquiry and would examine the prison's health and safety systems.

The Corrections Department is also investigating Mr Palmer's death.

A 21-year-old man - whose identity has been suppressed - appeared in Hamilton District Court last week charged with assault and has been remanded in custody to appear again on June 15.

It is understood the man has links to the Killer Beez gang and was apparently upset about the prospect of being moved back to the high-security prison at Paremoremo, just north of Auckland, before he struck out at Mr Palmer.

The attack prompted calls from the Corrections Association for guards to be given armour and weapons. Mr Hanlon said police dealt with the same offenders but were much better protected, with dogs, stab-proof vests and Tasers.