A New Zealand military chaplain, Father Darren O'Callaghan, has held a memorial service in the Solomon Islands for one of the New Zealanders killed in the Tongan ferry disaster.
Fr O'Callaghan held the service so members of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) could farewell Sisiliah Puleheloto, 24, a member of the Niue police force.
Ms Puleheloto had taken leave to visit relatives in Tonga. A cousin, Dwenelle Luani, 25, last saw her on the sinking MV Princess Ashika grasping at seats inside the passenger lounge as the ferry rolled over.
She remains one of the 73 people missing after the ferry sank in Ha'apai waters on August 5. A total of 54 people - all men - were rescued, and two bodies were recovered.
The service in the chapel at RAMSI's headquarters was attended by representatives of many of the local communities Ms Puleheloto worked with during her nine months in the Solomons, and hundreds of people from both RAMSI and Honiara communities.
RAMSI special coordinator Graeme Wilson said the young policewoman, who worked in the community relations team, had made an enormous contribution, showing a big heart and working to help Solomon Islanders build a better, safer future.
The commander of the Participating Police Force (PPF), Wayne Buchhorn, said "Sisi", as she was known, was one of only two officers who made up RAMSI's Niue contingent and the first female officer to represent her nation in an overseas mission.
She would be missed not only by the remaining 15 members of the Niue police force, but by the many friends she had made around the world in her short life, Mr Buchhorn said.
Ms Puleheloto is the fifth active member of RAMSI to die in the six years since RAMSI first deployed to the Solomon Islands in July 2003.
NZPA