NZ’s Pacific Islander Community gathers to remember Lomu

New Zealand's Pacific Islander community gathered to remember rugby great Jonah Lomu at a traditional service in Auckland.

The `Aho Faka Famili, or day of the family, event at the Vodafone Events Centre in South Auckland was an opportunity for communities from the Pacific to honour Lomu.

Many of the thousands of people wore bright Pasifika shirts, black skirts and traditional dress.

Those attending include former All Blacks Michael Jones, Tana Umaga, Dylan Mika, Eric Rush, Alama Ieremia and Pita Alatini.

New Zealand Governor‑General Sir Jerry Mateparae was also in attendance.

Tens of thousands of people are expected at a public memorial service to be held at Eden Park in Auckland tomorrow.

World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset will travel to New Zealand to attend tomorrow's memorial, along with representatives from other international rugby unions.

Lomu, who was of Tongan descent, died suddenly at the age of 40 earlier this month.

Lomu was diagnosed with a rare kidney condition in 1995.

It forced him to quit the game and he had a kidney transplant in 2004, but the organ stopped functioning in 2011 and he had to have regular dialysis.

He died of cardiac arrest in Auckland, but the exact cause of his death has not been established.

Jonah Lomu will be laid to rest on Tuesday.