Jonah Lomu died at the young age of 40 in his Auckland home on Wednesday.
The Tongan community have honoured the All Black legend at a church he once attended as a child in South Auckland.
9.30pm: The memorial service has concluded.
9.20pm: After another
musical performance, Rev. Tevita Finau delivered the closing remarks.
Pastor Sekope 'Uhila then started the final hymn and the congregation stood to sing along.
The brass band played the Tongan national anthem and the Lomu family and the rest of the congregation stood to meet and talk with their friends, family members, neighbours and community members that had been sitting next to them while they remembered and celebrated their common thread.
Many hugs were shared while the words "RIP Jonah Lomu" looked down on them with a big smile from the man himself.
9pm: Tongan barrister Nalesoni Tupou spoke next and after starting in Tongan, the crowd erupted into song.
Mr Tupou then weaved in and out of Tongan and English.
He spoke extensively about his history with Lomu and the times he met with him.
His speech was met with laughter at times, and solemn nods of the head at other points.
"He rocks the house of the kings and queens and the prime ministers. He rocks everybody," Mr Tupou said of Lomu.
He read out quotes from iconic Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi.
"My message to each and every one of you is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi - 'My life, my message'."
Mr Tupou said this quote and another from Gandhi - 'In a gentle manner, you shape the world' - epitomised Lomu and everything he achieved and stood for.
After the congregation sang again, former All Black Isitolo Maka spoke last and delivered the whole speech in Tongan.
8.40pm: Lomu's childhood friend Sinipata Kaufononga was one of the last to speak, telling how he'd known Lomu for 32 years, since he was just an "annoying kid".
Kaufononga said he thought a lot of Jonah's character came from wanting to fit in - as a tall kid, without much money, and with his particular sense of humour, he had to really try, he said.
"Those of us who knew Jonah know he's got some dry jokes. But he laughs loud at those jokes."
"Back then, BMX was cool. But no one could afford one. Most people in Mangere are broke, you know. But Jonah got one, a tiny one and he couldn't sit down on it, this big kid."
He told how Jonah would have to stand pedalling, because his knees couldn't fit under the handlebars. In the same era, Rebook sneakers were cool, he said.
"But in Mangere, we couldn't afford those either."
Somehow, however, Jonah got a pair of shoes. The problem was, they were too small so he ended up cutting the fronts out to fit his big feet in.
"That guy Jonah Lomu man, he was a sight. But for him it was still BMX, still Reebok."
Kaufononga said he thought of those Reeboks years later when the company was paying Jonah $5,000 a day in advertising contracts. "God brought him a long way."
He went on to tell how one time, his nieces and nephews had been to London and seen a statue or Lomu at the wax museum. "He was the only Pacific Islander in there. I tried to be a tough guy and not let my nephews and nieces see me cry but it was hard because I was so proud of what he'd done. "
As he told the story, he did begin to cry. Mourners too began sobbing, and shouting encouragement from the pews. Kaufononga pulled himself together.
"That guy Jonah," he said. "He had love for many people. That's the kinda guy he was. He touches everyone. He was a true hero for people from all walks of life."
He said he was so grateful to have been Lomu's friend. "I love him so much."
8.20pm: Fala Haurangi, a Tuvalu community leader, delivered a powerful speech that was met with loud applause mid-way through.
She talked passionately about Lomu's global legacy and how that was shown by the coverage of his death by the international media.
Ms Haurangi said she admired Lomu and, like many speakers tonight, called him a "son".
She said that he paved the way for pacific island people, not just in New Zealand but around the world.
"Tonight I just want to say to Hepi, Nadene and the family, and all our Tongan family, once again condolences from our Tuvalu community. We will remember him in our thoughts and our prayers," she said.
"We are with you."
8.10pm: Fijian-Indian community leader Vijendra Prasad said Lomu was a legend, and everyone knew it.
He joked that while Indians didn't play rugby, they still knew Jonah. "My son and my daughter... They started watching rugby.. And no one could change the channel."
Mr Prasad closed his speech with a prayer.
8.05pm: The next speaker was Mrs Rosie Blake, Cook Islands general consulate.
Mrs Blake started by saying: "We the people of the Cook Islands join you on this sad occasion - the immense loss of our pacific son, hero."
She recalled fondly Lomu's visits to the Cook Islands over the years.
"The children couldn't get enough of Jonah, because Jonah mingled with them truly. His humbleness and genuine warmth matched his skill and power [which] made him our own Polynesian warrior."
8pm: The third guest speaker, Sua William Sio, wrapped up his speech by declaring, that as well as being the "gateway to the Pacific" and the holy city, with Jonah's passing it was now official - Mangere was also the second Kingdom of Tonga.
His proclamation brought clapping and laughter. He was corrected by the MC, who said: "You're wrong, Otahuhu is the little Kingdom of Tonga."
More seriously, Sio said the community was right to be proud of "their son".
"All of us were proud of his accomplishments."
7.50pm: The second guest speaker was going to be Reverend Lopini Filise, the S.U.T.T superintendent.
Rev. Filise could not make it, so he was replaced by Rev. Alifeleti Mone from the Free Weslyan Church.
After speaking initially and extensively in Tongan, Rev. Mone broke into English briefly to thank everyone for coming along.
"God bless you all," he said. "Thank you very much."
He was followed by Rev. Joe Motu'Apuaka from the Church of England.
He too spoke both Tongan and English to the congregation.
"Jonah was a king," he said.
Rev. Joe Motu'Apuaka paid tribute by quoting: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
He then concluded his speech. "May god bless you," he said.
Following his speech was a performance by Golan Singers.
7.40pm: Mr Lotu-Iiga opened his tribute by reminding the service that Lomu was more than a rugby player.
"We are gathered here to remember a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, an outstanding rugby player and a great New Zealander," he said.
Like many, upon hearing of Lomu's death, Mr Lotu-Iiga was stunned, shocked and saddened, he said.
He paid tribute to how Lomu had transformed the game of rugby, and what he contributed to the nation.
"But for me, he was a Mangere boy, from the holy city where we gather tonight."
"He was the boy that grew up here in Favona ... Who within a year of leaving school was playing for the All Blacks."
That inspired people, Mr Lotu-Iiga said. It taught them to dream and to "strive for excellence".
Mr Lotu-Iiga passed on the Prime Minister's condolences to the family, and he told of the last time he saw Lomu, in the same church, and how he was the same as always - happy, joking around, humble.
"We all know there will never be another Jonah Lomu. We are proud of you, you have touched our lives along with many around the world."
7.30pm: Members of the congregation are now coming forward to light candles.
7.15pm: MP Sam Lotu-Iiga and other ministers and representatives are also lighting candles.
As are representatives and leaders of other ethnic communities in New Zealand.
A member from the maori royal family is lighting a candle.
7.05pm: The candle lighting ceremony has just started.
The music accompanying the lighting ceremony is being performed by Seventh Day Adventist Youth, Saia Naeata Fa'amasa and Vilikesa Maile.
One by one candles are being lit by members of the Lomu family at the front of the church.
With the lights dimmed, a slideshow of photos of the rugby superstar are being screened on a projector.
Lomu's sister is one of those to light a candle. As are some of his cousins, and a member of the Tongan royal family.
There are 40 candles on the table to represent Lomu's age.
7pm: Many in the crowd are wiping away tears as memorial organiser Salote Heleta-Lilo is welcoming the congregation and talking about the legacy of Lomu.
"Your legacy will never go away forever," she said.
6.50pm: Organiser Salute Heleta-Lilo gave an impassioned welcoming speech in Tongan.
Keening could be heard from the depths of the church as she spoke, the pews now packed and the building warm. Women fanned themselves with woven veeni, or fans.
Mrs Heleta-Lilo told of how Jonah grew up in Mangere and went to Wesley College. She called him a "God-gifted son of the pacific" and said the community had been "paralysed" by his death.
"We shall miss your presence, Jonah."
"You have taught our community to dream for their future."
She asked the Pacific People's Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga to commemorate Jonah's death with an ongoing commitment to a project supporting youth sports.
"Join the Angels in heaven, your legacy will never go away forever."
6.45pm: The service has officially started with the Rev Dr Ilomaisini Lea introducing the first Tongan hymn, 391.
A chorus of voices rose through the church in harmony, led by the reverend. It was beautiful.
6.30pm: Cries of "Malo" are being heard in between the music.
Malo means thank you in Tongan.
6.25pm: Some of the Lomu family benches are now full.
The front two rows are still empty, however.
Lomu's mother has just arrived.
The seating of guests and dignitaries is still to come and MC John Pulu has just informed the congregation that the service is expected to start around 6.30pm.
"New Zealand time," he quickly added, drawing laughter.
Tonight's service is being live streamed so that Tonga and other pacific island nations can be involved in remembering Lomu - a player who represented them all on the international stage.
6.20pm: MP Sua William Sio arrived at the memorial after an invite from the family.
He said he counted himself among Jonah's friends, and got to know him well while travelling together in 2011.
"He will always be a son of Tonga and then Pacific," Sio said. "And he will always be a son of the South Side."
"He encompasses us - the good, the bad and the ugly. Real people. He inspired us all. When he ran on the field we ran on with him. When he crashed through tackles we crashed with him. And when he scored we scored too."
6.15pm: MC for the evening, Tagata Pasifika presenter John Pulu was nervously preparing his notes when approached. He said it was a real honour to be chosen to MC Lomu's memorial.
"This is a huge deal for me. The whole world and especially for a little island like Tonga, the concentration is here tonight as we celebrate, pay tribute to Jonah Lomu, who lifted the pacific and especially us Tongans to what it is today."
He said it was a special moment for everyone to come together and be part of the mourning service to farewell Lomu.
"I can tell you, I live here in Auckland, and the feeling is the same with everyone - it's a sad moment for us all.
"Because like I said, Jonah Lomu lifted us all. So wherever Jonah Lomu went in the world, we were proud he was representing Tonga. So it's a sad moment to see him go.
"There's other young rugby players that are showing the same strength, but there will never be another Jonah Lomu."
6pm: Most of the guests have arrived wearing Ta'ovala, a traditional woven skirt worn to show respect.
As each guest got out of their car, a friend or family member would assist them to put on the ta'ovala, holding weaving while the wearer tied the kafa, or rope, around it.
"You get used to it," said Ilaisaane Muimuikeata. "If you are really good you can tie them by yourself."
5.50pm: Cousins Shanaih Taufa and Sione Paletua said Lomu meant "so much" to them.
Sione, who has just finished at Wesley College, Lomu's former school, said the rugby player was an inspiration.
"I was so sad to hear of his passing. 40-years old is too young."
Shanaih said Lomu was one of her role models growing up.
"It means a lot for me to come today."
5.45pm: Vice President of the New Zealand Tongan Rugby association Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki said she had come to pay her respects.
"When people are grieving it's good to be together. In that way we are healing each other,"she said.
"Whether happy or sad it is better to do it as a group."
5.40pm: The United Outreach Ministry group are currently singing in Tongan inside the church.
The church is quickly filling up.
5.30pm: The memorial service is expected to last for about two hours and will also involve various musical performances, hymns and prayers.
A representative of the Tongan royal family will be here as will members of Lomu's family.
The Lomu family will be seated at the front of the church and have seven rows reserved for them.
A large brass band are here and taking up four rows. They have started to play in preparation.
5.20pm: There will be a total of eight speakers this evening. In order, they will be:
1. Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.
2. Reverend Lopini Filise, the S.U.T.T superintendent.
3. MP for Mangere, Su'a William Sio.
4. Her Excellency Mrs Rosie Blake, Cook Islands General Consulate.
5. Vijendra Prasad, Fijian/Indian community leader.
6. Fala Haurangi, Tuvalu community leader.
7. Sinipata Kaufononga, a childhood friend of Lomu.
8. Barrister Nalesoni Tupou.
5pm: We are here at the Lotofalei'a Tongan Methodist Church in Mangere for the public memorial service for All Black legend Jonah Lomu.
There is already a steady stream of early arrivals, who have managed to find a seat inside the church.
This is the biggest Tongan Methodist Church in Auckland and New Zealand and a normal Sunday afternoon service sees about 700 people turn up.
It can hold up to 1000.
With more than that expected to turn up, those that do not fit inside this evening will stand on the grass lawns out front.
It is a sunny Sunday evening in south Auckland, with plenty of cloud passing overhead and a strong breeze.
Lomu's number 11 is taped to the entrance of the church.
Coach Robertson informed him early to ensure he's well-prepared this time.
