The death of busker David "Star" Kini has saddened many in Invercargill, including a store manager who described him as "a staple of Esk St".

Lusty's Showcase Jeweller manager Tania Hill said Kini was one of the city's colourful characters who would talk to anyone.

"He was always polite and when we walked past him, he would say hello.

Jamie Searle/Stuff Members of David 'Star' Kini's family remember him in Invercargill this week, from left, soulmate Raena Tokana, sister Teresa Dixon, mother Rebecca Fulton, son Dorne Kini, granddaughter Anahera Kini and sister Jolleen Howard.

"It's going to be strange not seeing him on the street."

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Kini, who died of a heart attack last Sunday, at age 49, was a familiar sight playing his guitar or music on a portable stereo in the central business district. He lived in Tweed St and stored some of his busking gear in a locker at the Wachner Place restrooms.

An Esk St hairdresser, Kevin Templeton, was shocked when told of Kini's death.

"I liked the guy. He had his music going and was one of the town's personalities," Templeton said.

Kini was also a carver with a lot of his artwork sold, gifted to people or put into exhibitions throughout the country. Te Taonga Mauri Culture Trust director Oti Murray taught Kini to carve on wood, stone and bone in the late 1980s.

"He helped us finish Murihiku Marae," Murray said.

"He was straight up, humble and always had a smile on his face."

Kini's sister, Jolleen Howard, said her brother was also an artist, wrote lyrics and a fan of the late Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley.

Kini wore a leather jacket when painting and would wipe his brushes on it for cleaning. By doing that, the marks created art and Kini was proud to wear the jacket publicly, Howard said.

Some of the money received from busking was used to buy food and clothing for his friends, she added.

"He would go to the op shop, buy stuff and then go and see a friend and say, 'I saw this and thought it would be good for you'," Howard said.

Kini was upset at the recent death of longtime canine companion, Goldie, of 14 years.

"David would buy two pies, half a pie for himself and the other one and half for Goldie," Howard said.

"He made sure others were fed before he was."