Friends and family pay tribute to All Black great Jonah Lomu at the Jonah Lomu Aho Faka Famili (Day of the Family) service.
A moving celebration of the life of Jonah Lomu has wrapped up with the All Black legend described as "the greatest of us all."
Former All Black and MC Eroni Clarke told thousands of mourners he was the luckiest centre in the world, having played with Lomu.
"He was the greatest of us. Of all of our generations...Jonah was the greatest," Clarke said.
Jonah Lomu's wife Nadene sits with her mother Lois and father Mervyn Quirk during the Aho Faka Famili memorial. Photo / Getty
The service closed about 4.30pm with Lomu's coffin carried through a guard of honour followed by his widow Nadene, his two sons and other family members.
Many wept as they followed the casket out of the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland.
Jonah Lomu's casket is carried out by Lomu family members. Photo / Getty
Rugby stars, Lomu family members, community leaders and fans packed into the events centre for the Aho Faka Famili service which ran for more than four hours this afternoon.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mataparae told those gathered that "we will not see the likes of him again".
The service was a solemn occasion but also a celebration.
Jonah's wife Nadene and children Dhyreille and Brayley follow the casket into the service. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Jonah would be remembered for his rugby prowess but also for his kindness and humility. He was strong despite being dealt tough cards, he said.
"He impressed us with his courage, his humility, his grace under pressure ...his determination to use his influence and his mana for the benefit of others was exemplary.
"A great Totara has been cut down. And we will not see the likes of him again."
Earlier, Nadene and sons Dhyreille and Brayley - wearing All Black jerseys with Lomu on the back - were supported by other family members as they made their way into the centre.
Nadene Lomu's father Mervyn Quirk said he loved Lomu as a son.
"This is a time of great sorrow, having lost a dear son. Jonah graced the rugby fields of the world and that's when I'm sure many of us got to know this young man and wished to know him more, because of the joy and pleasure that he brought to all who saw him play."
Many in the crowd waved flax fans in the warm auditorium as tributes were paid. There were hymns and prayers.
Former All Black Michael Jones described the service as an "intimate and beautiful part of the mourning and the healing".
The day was first for Nadene and the boys, Jones said.
"The whole focus is for them, and then for the rest of the community to have an opportunity to come and show support.
"This is what we always do, we just needed a bigger house ... it's going to lift the heart. Our hearts are warm today because unless you go through this part of the process it's harder to move forward. It's for her, but it's also for us."
Lomu was a "giant of a man, giant of the rugby world and a giant of a husband and father."
The family will hold a private ceremony for the man they knew as a husband, father, brother, son and friend in coming days.
A public memorial will be held at Eden Park on Monday.
