By Juanita Copeland
Colleagues of killed Kiwi soldier Lieutenant Timothy Andrew O'Donnell spent the day mourning, while MPs paid tribute to the bravery of soldiers overseas.
Lieutenant Timothy Andrew O'Donnell was based at Burnham military camp near Christchurch.
See a photo gallery of Lieutenant O'Donnell in service
His colleagues were told of his death in a morning briefing and have spent the day processing the loss and supporting his friends at the camp.
At the headquarters of the second first battalion the flag flies at half mast. The atmosphere around Burnham military camp is noticeably subdued.
The colleagues of Lieutenant O'Donnell learned of his death early this morning and spent the day privately mourning him.
Watch the full interview with Lieutenant O'Donnell's father
While those who carry the burden of deploying New Zealand troops paid public tribute.
“Today New Zealand lost a brave young man who paid with his life a very high price indeed,” said MP Gerry Brownlee.
ACT leader Rodney Hide said the whole country should be proud of Lieutenant O’Donnell.
“All New Zealanders can be proud to call Lieutenant O’Donnell one of our own and we salute his service and his ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
Watch the full video of Parliament tributes to Lieutenant O'Donnell
Around the capital and the country, flags flew at half mast in the traditional way to honour the dead.
While on more modern platforms members of the military family expressed their shock and grief.
Labour leader Phil Goff can relate to what Lieutenant O'Donnell’s family is going through, his nephew Mathew Ferrara was killed on active service for the American army in Afghanistan three years ago.
“I really feel for the sense of loss Tim’s family will be feeling at this time and at this tragedy having occurred in this way,” he said.
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The service and sacrifice of Lieutenant O'Donnell will continue to be honoured by much of the nation in the days to come.
The soldier’s family will now decide if they want a full military funeral when he's brought back to New Zealand.
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