At just 22, Navar Herbert’s life was full of promise. A professional rugby player for the Nerang Bulls, he was deeply in love with his partner, Maia Falwasser, and a devoted father to their baby son, Kyrie. The young family had bright plans for the future, but everything changed when Navar was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called sarcoma.
Despite the heartbreaking news, Navar and Maia were determined to marry. When doctors revealed that his cancer had spread and he had only hours to live, the couple went ahead with a deeply intimate ceremony. Too weak to walk, Navar was carried to see his bride in their Gold Coast garden, surrounded by family and friends who shared in the poignant moment.
After the ceremony, Navar’s friends performed a traditional Māori Haka, honoring his New Zealand roots. The powerful dance was both a celebration of his life and a source of strength for those mourning, creating a moving farewell for a young man who had touched so many lives.
Tragically, Navar passed away shortly after the wedding, as doctors had feared. Heartbreak was intensified when his funeral coincided with his son Kyrie’s first birthday. Maia shared her grief on a GoFundMe page to bring Navar’s body back to New Zealand, revealing the immense emotional and logistical challenges she faced.
In her touching message, Maia described the profound loss of her “best friend, husband, and the father to our son.” Though overwhelmed with sorrow, she found comfort in the outpouring of love from family and friends. Navar’s life, though tragically brief, left a lasting impact—a testament to his courage, love, and the deep bonds he built in his short time on Earth.
