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Wellington - New Zealanders will have the chance to mourn rugby great Jonah Lomu at a public memorial in Auckland's Eden Park stadium next week, Prime Minister John Key said on Monday.
Such has been the outpouring of grief among Kiwis at Lomu's shock death last week aged just 40, that Key said large numbers of people wanted to pay their respects.
"Jonah touched people's lives across the country and around the world," he said, announcing plans for the service at the 50 000-capacity venue on November 30.
"This service will be open to all members of the public who want to remember the significant contribution Jonah made, not only to rugby here and overseas, but also to the wider community through his work with charities."
The memorial service will be followed by a private funeral the next day, December 1.
Lomu, who had chronic kidney disease, died unexpectedly last Wednesday leaving behind a wife and two young sons.
He is widely regarded as the most exciting player in rugby union's history and the game's first global superstar.
