Former chief fire officer of the Muriwai Volunteer Fire Force, Peter Wilton, departed his Muriwai station for the last time on Tuesday.
Sixty fire fighters from five stations, family and friends gathered at the station to honour Mr Wilton who passed away on September 17.
In an often moving service many speakers paid tribute to a man who gave 50 years to the community, first as a paid fire fighter and then, for 20 years, as a volunteer at the Muriwai station before his retirement earlier this year. Mr Wilton was accorded a full guard of honour by serving officers, including former colleagues. Mr Wilton was aged 69.