Farewells are being planned for Jonah Lomu... both in Tonga and in New Zealand.

Tongan cabinet ministers will meet today to discuss arrangements for a formal state ceremony for the rugby great.

Lomu spent his early years in Tonga, only moving to New Zealand when he was five.

Tonga's sports minister Fe'ao Vakata said the country appreciates all Lomu has done for it and the rugby world.

Lotofale'ia Tongan Church in Mangere will hold a community service for Lomu on Sunday night.

Tom Beyer from the crowd-funding website Givealittle said there's been a flurry of interest in Lomu tributes, including one set up by his wife.

"There is a lot of interest and that really speaks to the impact of the man and his life."

He also acknowledged support for Lomu lead to the Givealittle site crashing briefly due to unprecedented interest in tributes.

"We're regularly reaching new heights of traffic and donations volumes. It is a new level of volume for us."

The family's Mormon Church in Royal Oak is also expected to pay tribute to Lomu at a service this weekend.