KEY POINTS:
A New Zealand coroner will investigate how five New Zealanders died in the Airbus A320 crash in southern France, it was announced today.
Acting chief coroner Gordon Matenga will investigate the deaths.
Coroner coordinator Jenny Bell said despite the men dying overseas, it was not unusual that a New Zealand coroner was investigating, as four of the men's five bodies had been returned to New Zealand.
The body of Murray White, 37, an Air New Zealand engineer, who died when the Air New Zealand plane crashed into the sea near Perpignan on November 28 has not yet been found. Two German pilots were also killed.
Yesterday, an Air New Zealand flight arrived in Auckland carrying the remains of Air NZ Captain Brian Horrell, 52, from Auckland, Christchurch engineers Michael Gyles, 49, and Noel Marsh, 35, and Civil Aviation Authority airworthiness inspector Jeremy Cook, 58, of Wellington.
The plane was towed to a hangar where a private ceremony was held for friends, family and colleagues. Dave Dobbyn was performing his song Welcome Home.
Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe paid to the four men and Mr White.
Condolences from Prime Minister John Key and the Civil Aviation Authority were being passed on and the Air New Zealand kapa haka group paid a special tribute on behalf of the airline.
Families then carried their loved ones to hearses for their journeys to their last resting place.
Mr Fyfe said the arrival had been an extremely emotional time for the families and friends of the lost men and Air New Zealanders around the world.
"Arriving home in New Zealand will mark the end of another chapter as we all come to terms with the tragedy that occurred in France when we lost our men and A320 operated by XL Airways of Germany," he said.
Dave Dobbyn said on such a solemn occasion "it is an honour and a privilege for me to sing Welcome Home with the bereaved families and friends of these loved ones returning.
"Our hearts go out to them and everyone at Air New Zealand," he said.
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA
