Grace Millane murder: Family friend leads Queenstown vigil

Josh Lewis, a close family friend of Grace Millane's, lights a birthday cake in her honour at last night's Queenstown vigil. Photo / Daisy Hudson

On the shores of Lake Wakatipu, a small birthday cake was placed gently on an English flag, surrounded by flowers.

On it were 22 brightly coloured candles - one for every year of slain English tourist Grace Millane's life.

It was brought to the Queenstown vigil organised to remember Millane by close family friend Josh Lewis - who struggled to contain his emotion as he recalled the ''amazing, lovely, innocent little girl'' he considered a younger sister.

''I wanted to bring her a birthday cake, because I know she probably wouldn't have got one.''

Lewis was one of about 100 mourners who gathered at the lakefront during a drizzly evening for the vigil, organised by Queenstown woman Amanda Morris.

Lewis said he was a close friend of Millane's older brother, Declan, and had known the family for about 15 years.

He said he spoke to a ''distraught'' Declan shortly after news of the tragedy broke.

''We're all here to support him, and all my friends back home are there to support him.''

He said the support from across New Zealand had been ''incredible''.

Many members of the crowd in Queenstown left flowers and tealight candles at a small memorial set up by Morris. Others carried pictures of Millane.

Addressing the crowd, Morris said as a former backpacker herself, hearing Millane's story had been ''especially devastating''.

''I've organised this event today so we can collectively reflect, and remember a life taken too soon.''

Local Ngai Tahu members also paid tribute with waiata and a karakia.

A 26-year-old man has been charged with Millane's murder.

Vigils are planned nationwide.