The employer of the Queenstown rafting guide who died on Friday has organised a "special trip" up the Shotover River for over 70 friends and family to pay tribute to him near the spot he passed away.
The 62-year-old rafting guide, Keith Haare, died as a result of a medical event near Queenstown on Friday.
Yesterday, the company he worked for, Queenstown Rafting, organised to transport over 70 staff, former guides, friends and family close to Mr Haare via raft, kayak and helicopter to the top his favourite section of the Shotover River.
"It's been incredibly hard for us all, particularly with the inference that Chief's death was as a result of an accident – when we knew early on that this was not the case," Queenstown Rafting General Manager Luke Taylor said.
Fellow guides had rallied together the day and night before, to design and carve a memorial wooden plaque for the man they affectionately knew as "Cheif".
The area of rapids Mr Haare died at was known as the "Mother" section of the river.
The company has decided to rename it the "Moana-Roa Chief" section in Chief"s honour.
The Queenstown Rafting staff then took it in turns to carve two paddles to place at an old miner's chimney at the side of the river.
"It's not easily visible to those normally heading down the river, but our guides will see it on their way back from checking the river rapids and remember him every day," Mr Taylor said.
The plaque was laid in place and the guides then lined up to support the family as they all gathered to pay their respects.
A karakia (prayer), followed by an emotional haka were carried out, with flowers and ferns were cast into the river.
"We're pleased that the Police have released the preliminary post mortem results which suggest a medical event and that Maritime New Zealand has suspended its investigation," Mr Taylor said.
Queenstown Rafting will restart operations tomorrow.
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