The 25-year-old Indian man, Tarun Asthana, who died a few days after he was fatally punched in Auckland, was remembered as being a 'guardian angel and protector' who lived life to the full.
Asthana died last Monday morning, two days after suffering critical head injuries in an incident in downtown Auckland.
According to stuff.co.nz, naval rating Grenville David McFarland, aged 27, has been charged with assault and is set to reappear in the Auckland District Court on Friday.
Several hundred family members and friends paid their respects to the much-loved trainee teacher and part-time DJ at Christ the King Catholic Church, in the Auckland suburb of Owairaka.
Father Peter Tipene said Tarun's death had created 'great devastation and despair' within his family.
Tipene added that has forgiven McFarland in the days following the incident.
His younger sister Tarika remembered him as her 'guardian angel and protector'. She said her brother had the 'art for living'.
Tarun suffered critical head injuries after an altercation on Saturday.
He was rushed to Auckland Hospital where he was placed on life support, but he passed away two days later.
