The family of a former Nelson man who was among four people found dead in Australia is requesting privacy.
Anthony Way, 33, and a woman were found fatally stabbed in a unit on Queensland's Gold Coast on Monday.
A frantic search for the woman's five-year-old daughter Kyla Rogers and the girl's father Paul Anthony Rogers was launched.
The father and daughter were found dead in a car near Casino in northern New South Wales later on Monday.
Mr Way left New Zealand eight years ago and was working as a renderer. His relatives say he loved going to the gym and was a keen rugby player.
In a statement from the New Zealand police on Tuesday, Mr Way's family said he was a generous, charismatic person and they are devastated.
The ABC reports police traced the girl's father using his mobile phone and followed up information from the public that led them to a car parked in bushland where the bodies were discovered.
The girl's 20-month-old brother spent Sunday night with his grandparents.
Police in Australia are preparing a report for the coroner.
