Family of man killed in Iraq to collect body

Teina Marokura Ngamata

The body of the Hamilton man killed in Iraq will be collected from Kuwait by his wife, brother, and brother-in-law, before being flown back to the Waikato to rest at a marae for two days.

From there Teina Marokura Ngamata's family will fly the 37-year-old to Rarotonga, his birthplace, to be buried.

The family heard about the bombing in Baghdad, which instantly killed Mr Ngamata, at 6.30am yesterday.

Since then uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends from across the North Island have gathered at the Hukanui home in Hamilton. At least 50 people are staying at the house.

The large extended family Mr Ngamata leaves behind includes his four children: Renee (17), Jordan (14), Manuera (12), and Ruth (9).

This morning the family held a press conference, fronted by his brother-in-law Ben Hadfield and brother Ollie Ngamata.

The men and their families had been sharing a large rural house in Hamilton with Mr Ngamata's wife and children.

Mr Hadfield said it was natural that the death had shattered the family, especially that of his sister Cheryl, who was Mr Ngamata's wife.

"When one of the family hurts it automatically cuts through everyone," Mr Hadfield said.

"We are doing alright, we've got each other. There are times of tears and laughter."

Mr Ngamata had served in the New Zealand military before deciding to leave it in 2004, taking up an opportunity to work in Iraq as a driver.

He loved his work, Mr Hadfield said, which is why he was there, but he was also in it for the money.

He had planned to retire by the time he was 40. "I suppose the wife and kids will finish that dream for him."

It was only last month that Mr Ngamata had returned to New Zealand for a four-week holiday.

Mr Hadfield said his big memory from the holiday was when he was able to "hold him in my arms and give him a hug as a brother."

Mr Ngamata's brother Ollie spoke of how the pair had worked together at a Hamilton concrete firm while he was on leave from Iraq duties.

Ollie said his brother had served in the NZ Army for years, and beside Iraq had spent time serving in the Solomons, East Timor, and Bosnia.

"He was a soldier, and a good soldier," Mr Hadfield said. "He was a good man, a good Dad, a good husband, and was very family oriented."

A boxer and athlete when he was young, Mr Hadfield said Teina was a "very well rounded bloke."

He never spoke of near misses while on duty overseas, although there were probably quite a few.

It was felt Teina never spoke of the near misses because he wanted to protect his family from anguish and worry.

"Obviously he knew about the dangers but he was very good at playing it down," Mr Hadfield said.