The death of an Air NZ pilot, found after he went missing on a bush walk last week, is "not suspicious", say Hong Kong police.

The body of an Air New Zealand pilot who went missing a week ago while trekking in rural Hong Kong has been found, police said today.

In a warehouse packed with dignitaries and military officers, mourners today heard how NZ had lost a fine young leader, 28-year-old Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell.

The death of Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell in Afghanistan was a tragedy on a number of levels, the Governor-General told the slain soldier's military funeral today.

Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell was described as a striking example of a young man with positive and irrepressible energy at his funeral today.

A hat found in the search for an Air New Zealand pilot missing in Hong Kong is not his, local police say.

NZ's first Afghanistan war casualty has been returned to his home town of Feilding, after an emotional ceremony at nearby Ohakea Air Force Base.

The body of Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell landed at Ohakea this afternoon. A full military funeral will be held on Wednesday.

Dr Woo and her colleagues had been asked by elders in Nuristan for medical aid. It was, she maintained, a duty for them to go

Soldier's body will be returned to his family today.

A Kiwi soldier has published a book about his experience serving in Afghanistan.

A hearse carrying the casket of Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell has left Whenuapai Air Base, while two other injured soldiers have been transported to hospital.

The body of a New Zealand soldier killed in Afghanistan is due back in New Zealand today, accompanied by two of his injured comrades.

The body of a Lt Tim O'Donnell and two of his injured comrades will fly back to NZ later today, the Defence Force says.

The body of slain NZ soldier Lieutenant Timothy O'Donnell and his two wounded colleagues may be home as early as Saturday evening.

The organisation behind the biggest-spending public servant says his $100 lunches were necessary.