The volunteer firefighter, veterinarian and father whose life was claimed by the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle is being farewelled today.

David van Zwanenberg died helping evacuate residents in Muriwai last Monday night when a landslide crashed down from the slope above and crushed the property.

It claimed his life and the life of his fellow firefighter Craig Stevens.

He was remembered for his good humour, his authentic care, his astronomic intelligence and supreme competence at anything he turned his hand to at a funeral service in Muriwai.

A karanga rang out as pallbearers, dressed in official fire regalia, walked van Zwanenberg before the crowd gathered to remember his life.

A New Zealand flag was draped across his casket, adorned with flowers, a fire helmet and pictures of the late firefighter as a prayer was said.

Celebrant Barbara James-Bartle opened the ceremony by acknowledging van Zwanenberg’s family.

“Today we of the wider community come together in grief,” the celebrant said. “We share this celebration of his life with his parents, Nick and Mary from Scotland, and you, of the Muriwai community - all of whom have been directly affected by the death of Dave in Cyclone Gabrielle.”

Van Zwanenberg’s widow, Amy van Zwanenberg said he would be mortified by the fanfare of the ceremony and uncomfortable being remembered as a hero.

”Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride my darling. You’re going to have to tolerate the well-deserved fanfare.

• 'Beautiful, giving man': Missing Muriwai firefighter a hero local vet
• 'He was my hero': Traumatised Muriwai disaster survivor's tribute to killed firefighter
• Live: Firefighter injured in Muriwai landslide dies; Brace for more deaths, says PM; power back to parts of Piha

”I’ve never met someone with such a high IQ, you not only had an encyclopaedic brain, you learnt anything you wanted to turn your hand to. Let’s not forget how bad you were at stacking the dishwasher.

”You cared for people in a really proactive way. Your integrity was unquestionable.

”Our love story was one of fairy tales,” she said of their meeting in Australia.

She remembered the last few weekends they spent together, enjoying seeing their children laugh and play.

”You knew how to enjoy the simple joys in life. Teensy bit disappointed you died before you could give me a Valentine’s day card,” she said to laughter from the crowd.

She said he put all his effort into raising their children. She spoke of her children coping with the loss of their father.

”You were the most caring, loyal and dependable person and you took that into your career with the fire service.”

She spoke of one moment van Zwanenberg snubbed their dinner reservations to attend to his duty as a volunteer firefighter.

Funeral for firefighter David van Zwanenberg in Muriwai. He was killed by a slip in Muriwai during Cyclone Gabrielle flooding. Photo / Dean Purcell

”There was a part of you that had a thirst to test yourself against the world. You did not suffer fear easily. To this end I have packed a bag for you, just in case you do need to take a few things with you. I’ve packed your trainers, your boardies, and a book you never got to finish.

”I wish you had come out of the cyclone unscathed. I am incredibly proud to be your wife. You are irreplaceable.

”I know our love is enduring.”

Muriwai Volunteer firefighter Dave van Zwanenberg died in a landslide while helping at a damaged house in Muriwai during Cyclone Gabrielle on 13 February 2023. Photo / File

The funeral for volunteer firefighter David van Zwanenberg, who was killed in a landslide. Photo / Dean Purcell

One of van Zwanenberg’s colleagues, present at the house in Muriwai on the night of his death, said he had been an enthusiastic firefighter since he started with the brigade in 2013.

He said he was a quick learner and was given the nickname “Siri” for his vast knowledge.

”Dave was clearly a natural, talented leader rising quickly through our ranks. Dave, you will be sorely missed. Firefighter, vet, aviator, father, husband, and we will miss the time we have had together.”

University colleague Amber Bone said they spent some of the best days of their lives together at varsity.

”I want to share my last encounter with him. I heard someone shout ‘Dr Bone, what are you doing here’. In that moment, he made everything possible, because that’s who he was. I knew he would rescue me, just as had done many times before.

“She said van Zwanenberg had a cheeky humour as well as being loyal, kind, fearless and ‘utterly himself’.

She said he was “annoyingly good at everything” and was unstoppable.

“And with that, Dr Bone says goodbye.

”Rest well, rest easy.”

Funeral for firefighter David van Zwanenberg in Muriwai. He was killed by a slip in Muriwai during Cyclone Gabrielle flooding. Photo / Dean Purcell

A friend and fellow kitesurfer Josh remembered the adventures and conversations they had together.

”He was my friend,” said Josh.

”At the time, we were known as the ‘Muriwai Massive’ - primarily a bunch of kitesurfers who were extremely tight-knit.

”People have moved, and lives have changed, but our group was still close. He messaged me once that he had ‘found a good one’ and Amy was that good one.

”Together, we were allowed to play in the most dangerous of playgrounds. I love my friend Dave. His cheeky smile, and his raised eyebrow questioning my ways without saying it.

”The man who gave his life for others.”

Funeral for firefighter David van Zwanenberg in Muriwai. He was killed by a slip in Muriwai during Cyclone Gabrielle flooding. Photo / Dean Purcell

Veterinarian colleague Mark said he was honoured to be able to share his memories of van Zwanenberg.

“The time spent together was brief - like his morning work emails,” he said.

”Dave was a big man with a big heart. Dave had the ability to recognise when people were down and in the need of help. His masterstroke was his awkward bear hug, which took people by surprise but worked wonders.

”We will miss Dave’s ability to have full confidence in everything he said and did.”

He shared testimonies from the veterinary clinic’s clients who also remembered him - praising his professionalism and love for animals.

”I will miss working with Dave. He will be a huge loss to the veterinary profession. Amy, George, Zara - our hearts bleed for you.”

CEO of Fire and Emergency NZ Kerry Gregory spoke on behalf of firefighters, the board of Fenz, and the government.

”First I want to pass on my condolences. I want to acknowledge those from all of the different communities that Dave was part of.

”It is with really deep sadness that I stand here today and farewell Dave. Thank you Amy, and your whanau, for letting us share this moment today.

”It is obvious Dave was really loved listening to these eulogies today. I know he was highly respected by his fellow firefighters.

”The impact that Dave had on the Muriwai brigade was immeasurable. You form bonds that last a lifetime as you train together. Dave was admired and respected by all. Over the years, his presence has been woven into the fabric.

”He died helping others, working with his mates for the benefit of their community. Firefighters are extraordinary individuals but as vulnerable as others in the community.

”Dave will always be a special part of our whanau, and Amy and whanau, you will be a special part of ours too.

”Dave, New Zealand is indebted to you. You will be greatly missed.”

In response to his death last week, widow Amy van Zwanenberg said her family was utterly devastated by the sudden loss of her extraordinary husband.

She called him “the cornerstone of our lives”.

“First and foremost, a family man, Dave was dedicated to spending quality time with his children and building a life to nurture their growth.

“We decided that Muriwai and its beautiful community was the perfect place for this.”

New Zealand fashion designers came to the aid of Muriwai residents who have been locked out of their red-stickered homes.

Some people in the area, especially those on Domain Crescent, did not have clothes for the funeral today.

They have been unable to get back into their houses after the street was evacuated over concerns about further landslides.

After an online appeal, a number of designers have offered to gift clothing for the funeral. They include Juliette Hogan, Ingrid Starnes, Chaos & Harmony, Crane Brothers, Zambesi, Kate Sylvester and others.

Last week, Amy van Zwanenberg described her husband responding to the community’s call for help when Cyclone Gabrielle struck.

“Monday night [February 13] started out as just another occasion where Dave made sure we were settled and safe at home and headed out to join the fire brigade and help his community.

“Reliability and dependability were his core values, whatever the weather,” she said.

She said her late husband was blessed with the unique abilities, so few possess, to not only survive but thrive in extreme environments and circumstances, performing complex tasks and caring for others calmly under pressure.

“He used this multifaceted skill set in his profession as a veterinarian, where so many have benefited from his care and in his personal pursuits as a pilot, kite surfer and ultra-marathon runner. But he also loved a good book on the deck.

“Dave will be remembered for his good humour, his authentic care, his astronomic intelligence and supreme competence at pretty much anything he turned his hand too!”

Amy said she visited the site where her husband died last week and spoke with those who were there on the night.

“I was able to see the search site and speak to some of those who had been involved in his rescue and recovery.

“It grew a new depth to my gratitude for the courageous crews who had continued to search for my husband under absolutely atrocious conditions and threats to their own safety.

“It was palpable that they had been searching for one of their own, and they devoted themselves to that impossible task with the fervour one does for their own family.”

She said she was deeply grateful to Urban Search and Rescue, the NZ Police and all the fire and emergency crews involved, but especially to Dave’s brigade, who had been so deeply affected by the tragedy.

In her first statement since her husband’s death, she said she wanted to publicly thank friends who had immediately come to her family’s aid and supported them, “caring for us emotionally and practically and wrapping us in love through this horrendous time.

“You give me the strength to continue to be the mum I need to be, to help Dave’s beautiful children thrive despite this pain, and to be the legacy that he would be most proud of.”

NZ Horse and Pony Magazine shared a heartfelt message for van Zwanenberg, describing him as a “much-loved and valuable” member of the equestrian community who contributed to its “Ask the Experts” section for more than a decade.

“Our hearts go out to his family, his colleagues, his many friends and his fellow firefighters.”

According to the Vets North website, van Zwanenberg graduated in London in 2005, and initially worked in Devon.

“He is a partner in the practice and is a highly valued member of our equine team. His areas of interest are lameness, reproduction and general surgery. Outside of work, he can usually be found down the beach kitesurfing or when the wind is not blowing wakeboarding.”

One woman wrote van Zwanenberg used to be her vet and he is “lovely, knowledgeable and great at lighting up a stressful situation”.

“Thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Another social media user said he is a “beautiful, giving man” who had helped their pet.