Family, friends gather to send off 'loveable rogue'

He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother played at the funeral. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Around 150 mourners turned out yesterday for the funeral of a popular Auckland man who was killed in an execution-style shooting.

Keith Shane Kahi, 44, died in hospital last Sunday after being found lying in the driveway of a Botany Downs address in East Auckland on Sunday night.

Family and friends gathered at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Henderson to pay their respects to the "loveable rogue".

Kahi's coffin was carried into the chapel to the strains of He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother.

His older brother Clinton told how Kahi loved BMX racing, of his passion for clothes and how he loved eating mashed potato and peas with tomato sauce.

He said: "He was a very generous guy, he had a big heart, he would give you the shirt off his back. I am really sad he's left as at such a young age."

Kahi's younger brother Warwick said the family was still coming to terms with the loss of their little brother.

"I think our family is still quite annoyed about what happened and how it happened, but what can you do? You've just got to move on."

A neon tribute to Kahi has been put up at the well-known White Lady fast food store in downtown Auckland where Kahi had many friends.

Glen Michael MacDonald, 42, has been arrested and charged with Kahi's murder.