KEY POINTS:
Austin Hemmings wasn't only a wonderful father and husband - he was an inspirational boss who was held in high regard within the broker fraternity.
Yesterday, that industry was struggling to cope with the tragic loss.
"He was a business partner and just one of life's nice people - the perfect father, someone most people would aspire to be like. When we were advised of this situation it was just devastating," said close friend and former co-director Stephen Beale.
Mr Hemmings had been in his new job - NZI's Auckland branch manager - for only six months but in that time had made a huge impression.
His boss, NZI Insurance head Karl Armstrong, described him as a kind, caring and genuine person and said the company's thoughts were with his family at such a difficult time.
"It's a tragic situation. He was first and foremost a family man."
Mr Armstrong said Mr Hemmings was an inspirational leader and held in high regard within the broker fraternity and the insurance industry.
"We have closed the branch because ... it's better to do that ... allow people to deal with it in their own personal way."
Mr Austin joined NZI in 1988 in the Matamata branch. He was a broker liaison officer in Hamilton and Wellington, and later a branch manager in Gisborne, Matamata and Hamilton.
In August 2002 he joined Hamilton insurance brokering firm Law Mooney and Williamson, where he became a shareholder and director before it was taken over by Crombie Lockwood in 2007.
Crombie Lockwood's Hamilton branch director, Simon Lockwood, said Mr Hemmings had been the kind of boss who mentored his younger staff, helping them wherever possible.
Mr Hemmings left Hamilton and rejoined NZI in January this year as Auckland branch manager.
He was responsible for leading a broker distribution team and managing a significant portfolio of commercial and personal insurance.
Mr Lockwood said the new position reflected Mr Hemmings' skills, not only in his career but in dealing with staff.
"Austin was an incredibly well liked manager, both here and at NZI - one of those intelligent people who could lead people."
