Over one hundred people farewelled Judge Mick Brown at Auckland's Holy Sepulchre Church.
Many of his family, work colleagues and even some of the boys he helped through the justice system over the years paid their respects.
For some the emotions were too much. The impact he has had on the justice system is still felt today.
His dear friend, Pita Sharples says, “The masses have turned out. Judges, lawyers, people from the prisons, the people involved in the programme that Judge Brown set up. There were lots of stories shared today.”
Judge Brown's legacy lives on, and for Rosie Abbott, it's because of Brown why she finished Law School.
She says, “He cared about his work. Some lawyers in court or in prisons just did what they had to do. But he cared about the families involved, the person, the hapū which is exactly what a lawyer is meant to do.”
Shane White says, “We met back in the days. I stood before him when I was a youngster up to no good. I remember he wanted to help me and not to punish me for my wrong-doings but to put me on the right track.”
Judge Mick Brown will be taken to Waikumete Cemetery to be laid to rest.