Police investigating after two bodies found on Anzac Valley Rd in rural Waitākere, west Auckland, on 18 April 2024. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
An Auckland couple believed to have been killed by a ram on their farm last week will be farewelled in a joint funeral.
Alfred Hansen, 82, who was known by his middle name, Helge, - and his wife Gaye, 81, were found dead at their Waitakere property on Thursday afternoon.
Post mortems confirmed the couple died from injuries caused by an animal, and police shot an agressive ram when they arrived at the scene.
A funeral for the pair will be held at the Kumeu Showgrounds on 24 April.
An obituary said they died suddenly after a "tragic accident", and described them as "dearly loved" parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.
The victims' nephew and family spokesperson Dean Burrell earlier told RNZ the couple lived at the property where they were found dead.
"Unfortunately, they've both lost their lives in a tragic accident."
The circumstances of their passing was very unexpected, he said, adding that he was still coming to terms with it.
Burrell said the couple rented the property. They were retired hobby farmers, and had sheep, cattle and chickens for eight years.
"They're good people. They're over 80. They don't deserve this.
"Everyone is in shock as to what's happened. They are very upset."
Burrell said he felt like he was dreaming when he found out what happened. "I just didn't believe it."
Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
Helge and Jan Hansen's son, Antony, a photographer who lives in the United Arab Emirates, told Stuff his sister, Leanne, arrived at their father's property around the same time as police.
He received a call around midnight, UAE time, from his sister, saying their dad and Gaye were dead.
"It's frickin full-on for both of them to get taken out ... under such weird, crazy circumstances.
"You know the reality of ageing parents, but you don't expect anything so radical."
Antony Hansen told Stuff his father, of Danish descent, used to run a sheep farm at Port Waikato, and knew what he was doing.
"He's an experienced sheep farmer. He knows the potential outcome with rams, as far as being pretty stroppy.
"It [must have] caught him off guard, or he wouldn't be in a paddock with one, because he's always been really cautious around rams."
The deaths of the Hansens has been referred to the Coroner.
