Police have farewelled Gail Shepherd, the off-duty constable who died after being hit by a car while walking dogs at the weekend.
Shepherd joined the police in 2007 and recently took up a role as a "sole charge" officer at Kohukohu in the Far North.
A friend said it was her "dream job".
A colleague described the responsibility of being a sole charge cop, "You're on call 24/7. The community don't care if you're on roster or not.
"Gail is one of those people who would always pick up her phone."
Constable Gail Shepherd was the lone constable in her hometown of Houhora, a dream job she'd recently taken up. (Source: 1News)
Born and raised in Kaitaia, Shepherd and her brother Leon both entered the force.
At the Whangārei service today, her uncle spoke of the family's pride "when the youngsters became police officers".
"It's one of the greatest things, it's a proud thing."
He spoke of her strong work ethic and no-nonsense approach, saying she was always there for young people.
"It's a great loss for us as a family, it's a great loss for the community itself."
An interview with Shepherd was played in which she spoke of her love of waka ama.
"I was born into this thanks to my grandfather but, back when I started, women couldn't paddle," she said.
"But this was my thing as opposed to sitting in the kitchen peeling potatoes. Although, I still do that."
A friend said "she had waka in her blood".
"We are what you would call waka babies."
There were several references to her training young people and being a "nanny for the kids".
"When we went away, she was doing the mahi, cooking the food and doing everything for the kids.
"We had lots to talk about, mostly how not to crash into the Waitangi Bridge.
"Gail was always outspoken, straight up no-nonsense, you always knew where you stood with her and you were never left guessing."
She was now on her way to her marae near Cape Rēinga.
An investigation into the crash in Helena Bay, north of Whangārei, was ongoing.
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