Rotorua tourism industry remembers Doug Tamaki (+video)

A convoy of motorcycles roaring into the Energy Events Centre set the tone for the Rotorua remembrance service for tourism giant, Doug Tamaki.

The service was held today to allow members of the Rotorua tourism industry to pay respects not only to Mr Tamaki, but another of their fallen trailblazers, Harvey James.

Mr Tamaki died last Saturday while Mr James died on Monday.

Mr Tamaki's funeral service was held in Tauranga earlier this week, but his family and friends wanted to give the Rotorua community a chance to remember and celebrate Mr Tamaki's life.

Friend and Te Puia sales and marketing manager Kiri Atkinson-Crean described Mr Tamaki as having "a huge heart, a hug that could break a rib, a contagious laugh and a wicked sense of humour to go with it".

"Doug was a guy who lived life out loud ... everything was at 110km, he was never one to make a quiet entrance or exit which is why his death left us all stunned and credulous.

"Today is a memorial - a celebration of Doug, remembering the man our way. This is about Doug but it is for his family and I hope they leave here with an even stronger sense of the legacy Doug's left."

Mr Tamaki's brother Mike spoke of their passion for their business Tamaki Maori Village and how he and his brother "had a fire in our bellies".

"Our work was not just about our company, it was about Rotorua - who we were as a destination ... it was never about money, ego or success, it was just about achieving ... now there's a great gaping hole.

"We spent most of our lives here. This industry, Rotorua tourism, is our extended family."

Mike went on to say how his brother's passing showed "just how fragile life is".

"If anything, Dougie left a wake-up call for us ... we all thought he'd be around forever ... Leave no regrets, this is life and it's all we've got."

Speaking about Mr James, Mike said he was a "good bloke, a hard working guy".

"Harvey was part of taking Rotorua to the next level."

Mr Tamaki's youngest daughter Taiwa Tamaki sang a touching tribute to her father and Tamaki Maori Village staff spoke with both tears and laughter of their time shared with their boss.

During the service the floor was open for people to share their stories about the Maori tourism pioneer before his wife Katie and children Lyla, Ethan, Taiwa, Tawera and Awatea made final remarks.