The 50-year-old was in London with his wife Jane, son Jordan and daughter Alexandria when he suddenly collapsed and died earlier this month.
He was dairy giant Fonterra's first chief executive from 2001 to 2003, before he headed to PGG Wrightson. His most recent role was leading the transformation of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, which he completed in April this year.
Among those gathered at St Joseph's Catholic Church today were Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, Whanganui MP Chester Borrows and head coach for Taranaki's ITM cup team Colin Cooper.
Pallbearers Red Kuklinski, Geoff Roberts, Royce Stockman, Colin Watt, Michael Douglas, Phil Orr, Brent Stockman and Joe Cronin carried the coffin draped with the flag of Mr Norgate's favourite provincial rugby team, the Chiefs, from the church as Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over played.
After the service, friends described Mr Norgate as a "real character".
One attendee, who did not wish to be named, said his love of rugby was a "prominent" part of the service.
Another friend said it was Mr Norgate's efforts in business, with his family and in rugby that really shone through in the service."He was a well-respected man and he will be well and truly missed."
Another friend, Bill Batchelor, said those who spoke did so "sincerely".
"I thought it was very very impressive ... He loved life and left very, very quickly."
MPI minister Nathan Guy said he found the funeral "very moving".
"Craig's done a huge amount for agriculture in general in New Zealand and a massive amount for the dairy industry. He was instrumental in the formation of Fonterra, and what we heard about Craig was he always had a Plan B, in case Plan A never came off."
Mr Guy said he was a real "visionary" who had "strong roots" in Taranaki.
Among those who made tributes were Mr Norgate's brother Geoff, and Graham Stuart, who was strategy director at Fonterra while Mr Norgate worked there.
Despite his success in the business world, Craig Norgate used to describe himself as a "boy from the 'Naki", and those who knew him have called him humorous, energetic, passionate, visionary, driven and inspirational.
In 2005, Mr Norgate won the New Zealand Herald Business Leader of the Year award and in 2008 he received the World Class New Zealander award, from Kea New Zealand, for business and finance.
In a tribute his daughter Alexandria described her father as "the most generous clever and kind hearted man I have ever known".
"You were an incredible dad to us, and an extremely doting husband to mum," she wrote.
"I am sad that you won't be able to walk me down the aisle one day, but grateful for the 21 years I was blessed with your love."
His death notice described him as the dearly loved husband of Jane and treasured father of Dylan, Jordan and Alexandria.
"A much loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend."
