Tributes have been paid to the late Jonah Lomu at a traditional cultural ceremony in South Auckland.
Jonah Lomu's casket is carried out of the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau where friends and family gathered for a traditional service. Photo: RNZ/ Lauren Baker
About 400 people, made up of family, friends, dignitaries and sportsmen gathered at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau.
Most were wearing traditional Tongan dress, while others - including Lomu's two young sons - wore All Blacks jerseys.
The boys, along with their mother Nadene, arrived in the car behind Lomu's casket, at about 12:30pm.
His casket was carried out of the centre about 4.30pm and would make its journey to his family home in Epsom.
Photo: RNZ/ Lauren baker
Tributes to the rugby legend are being paid at the traditional cultural ceremony at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau this afternoon.
Family members, dignitaries and sportsmen spoke about Lomu at the service.
Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae said a Totara had fallen, while Lomu's father-in-law Mervyn Quirk said the rugby star treated him like his own father.
"Jonah treated me like a loving son would do his father, and I loved him dearly.
"There is nothing he wouldn't do for me, for my wife, his beautiful wife and his sons he especially held paramount above all."
Representatives of the Warriors and the Samoan rugby team attended, along with Tana Umaga and Michael Jones.
Jonah Lomu's friends and family gather outside the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau where a traditional service was held. Photo: RNZ/ Lauren Baker
The casket was adorned with white flowers, and sat next to a large black and white canvas picture of Lomu, at the front of the hall.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown also spoke, saying the ceremony was a way for Pasifika communities to respect their traditions, through oratory, music and gifts.
Dignitaries paid their respects before a celebratory ceremony, which included music and video clips of Lomu's career, took place,
The official memorial service takes place on Monday at Eden Park.
Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae arrives at the Vodafone centre, Manakau. Photo: RNZ/ Lauren baker
Lomu died earlier this month, just hours after returning from a family holiday in Dubai, after visiting the United Kingdom during the Rugby World Cup.
Lomu family friend and former All Black Ofisa Tonu'u is the spokesperson for the event.
"It was called 'Aho Faka Famili, you know, the family day, and it's just to try and have a joyous occasion and celebrate the life of this great man," he said.
"There's a few formalities and then there's been expression of groups to come in and perform. Just to tell stories and a few eulogies and just to celebrate Jonah's career and the legacy he's left behind."
Jonah Lomu's mother Hepi cuddles a child after a service earlier this month. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
