Parliament has paid tribute to the three airmen who died in the Iroquois helicopter crash on Anzac Day.
Flight Lieutenant Hayden Peter Madsen, 33, Flying Officer Daniel Stephen Gregory, 28, Corporal Benjamin Andrew Carson, 25, of No 3 squadron died near Pukerua Bay, 35km north-east of Wellington.
Sergeant Stevin Iain Creeggan, 36, is the only survivor and is in hospital in a serious but stable condition following surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery and is likely to be moved out of intensive care in the next day or two.
Prime Minister John Key told parliament on Tuesday the airmen were young men with the world in front of them but they are now mourned by all New Zealand.
He says they were much more than talented helicopter pilots and crew, but were partners and husbands, sons and brothers, and to their colleagues they were three good mates.
Labour Party leader Phil Goff, a former Minister of Defence, said the fact the airmen were on their way to an Anzac service made the incident particularly tragic.
Earlier, Mr Key said the confidence of the Air Force has been badly shaken by the deaths of five of its members in 12 months.
In January, Squadron Leader Nick Cree died while on a practice run with the elite Red Checkers squad. In November 2009, Flight Sergeant Andrew Forster was killed at Waiouru Military Camp when an old artillery shell exploded just metres from him.
Mr Key arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday morning after cutting short his visit to Turkey for Anzac Day ceremonies and says it is a very difficult time for Air Force, which is struggling under the loss of five of its members.
The Prime Minister says he fears the deaths have shaken the confidence of the Air Force to its core, prompting his hastened return from the Middle East.
He says he hopes to speak to the families of the three men killed on Anzac Day and to visit Sergeant Creeggan in hospital.
The Prime Minister says on the flight home from London he was able to spend 30 minutes with the sister-in-law of the helicopter's pilot.
Mr Key says he will not go to the Ohakea air base on Tuesday, but will pay tribute to the crewmen in Parliament. He will attend a military funeral service for the trio at the air base at 1.30pm on Thursday.
Father pays tribute
The father of Flying Officer Gregory says he was immensely proud of him.
Flying Officer Gregory's family has released a statement saying they want to thank all of New Zealand for their support.
Steve Gregory says his son had to jump through hoops to move from the Army to the Airforce, including sitting a school physics exam while serving in Afghanistan.
The family say while they wish the crash had not happened, they are proud to share their son with the nation.
