An Otago polytechnic student who died after being caught in a rip at Titahi Bay near Wellington Saturday week ago will be missed greatly in Dunedin.
The body of Albert Alapati (25) was found by police carrying out a sweep of the beach early last Thursday, after extensive searches throughout the week.
Mr Alapati had been studying in Dunedin for four years, initially at the University of Otago and most recently at Otago Polytechnic.
He was due to return to Dunedin to complete another year towards a qualification in computer science at the polytechnic.
People in Dunedin who knew Mr Alapati said he was a quiet, humble man who had many friends and was a good sportsman, expected to play senior level rugby league in the city again this year.
Brett McCormack, Mr Alapati's coach when he played a season at fullback for the Green Island premier rugby team, recalled a good rugby player who got better and better as the season progressed and fitted in well with the team.
"He was a real nice young fella; just a good guy to have around and a good guy to have on the team."
It was "unreal" to know he had died. The whole club would be saddened by the news, Mr McCormack said.
"He was a quiet, respectful young man. It's just a tragedy to lose a guy like that."
The Rev Tokerau Joseph, who managed Mr Alapati as a player in the Harbour Seals rugby league team in Dunedin last year, said the news Mr Alapati had died was a shock.
He had anticipated Mr Alapati would play in the team again this year.
Mr Alapati was a quiet, humble, happy person, with many friends.
"That was because of the type of person he was. He was probably one of the most likeable guys in the team. He always turned up to training, and played almost every game ... He was a gentleman on the field and always encouraging to everyone. It's just such a shame to have his life cut short like this."
University of Otago Pacific Islands Centre manager Nina Kirifi-Alai said Dunedin's Pacific Island student community was greatly saddened by the news of Mr Alapati's death.
Student groups had sent his family and girlfriend, Lucille, cards and flowers. A memorial service would be held for him once the students had returned to the city for the year.
Mr Alapati was a quiet man, supportive of the Pacific Island community in Dunedin. He attended and helped out at events, she said.
"It is a sad time."
