The first publicly-named victim of the New Zealand volcano tragedy has been remembered as a “phenomenal” person.

Neil Mitchell spoke with Grant Bateson, a pastor at Whakatane Liberty Life church, who knew Hayden Marshall-Inman – an experienced New Zealand tour guide.

“He was an amazing man and a phenomenal man,” pastor Bateson told 3AW Mornings.

“He’ll be sadly missed.”

Neil Mitchell asked pastor Bateson how the local community was handling the tragedy.

“It’s pretty sombre,” he said.

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