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Music celebrities turned out in force on Thursday night to celebrate the life of How Bizarre singer/songwriter Pauly Fuemana in south Auckland.
The 40-year-old's death from pneumonia came as a shock to the Polynesian music community who came to mark their respect.
Over 250 friends and family celebrated the life of the man who they described as the first Polynesian to take New Zealand music to the world.
"He was the first Polynesian man to take us abroad and tell everyone who we are," says Dawn Raid's Brother D.
Fuemana shot to fame with the Otara Millionaires Club's How Bizarre, which reached number one in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and some parts of Europe.
"What (Fuemana) did was proof that we can make it, you know, that we as Polynesians in a small country can achieve worldwide success ... It's not a dream anymore," says hip hop artist, Dei Hamo.
Fuemana's funeral service is to be held in Auckland on Friday.
