A haunting and beautiful ceremony has now taken place on Muriwai Beach at the scene of a quadruple fatal crash.
There was an overwhelming sense of support from the community for the families of the men, most of whom have come from overseas to be there.
After a karakia, the crowd moved forward to wash their hands in the ocean.
They have now returned to the surf club for a second blessing at the spot where the bodies of the four men lay after the crash.