A Tangi for Opotiki Navy sailor to be held
Able Seaman Combat Specialist William Paratini Delamere, 22, from Opotiki, had been serving on the HMNZS Otago, which was visiting Rarotonga, when he was killed about 1.30am on Saturday.
Rarotonga Police say Able Seaman Delamere was thrown from the scooter he was travelling on when it hit a traffic island.
He was taken to Rarotonga hospital but was later pronounced dead.
The Defence Force says navy personnel accompanied Mr Delamere's body on an air force flight to Whenuapai where the flight was met by the Chief of Navy and family and friends yesterday afternoon.
Mr Delamere's family say they are relieved he is back in the country and his body will lie in state at the family marae in Whitianga before a private tangi.
The accident happened while he was on shore leave.