A young father killed in a crash near his Te Puna home on Friday night has been described as a hard worker who loved his four children.
Hayden Hohepa Wilson, 29, was killed after the motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a car near his home in Snodgrass Rd about 7pm on Friday.
Mr Wilson's body was held at the house overnight on Saturday before being taken to Te Paamu Marae, near his hometown of Te Puke.
A couple, who asked to be known only as supporters of the family, said Mr Wilson was a father of two girls aged 1 and 5, and two boys aged 7 and 9.
"He loved the kids ... he was a family man," they told the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday.
They also described Mr Wilson as a "hard worker" who built and repaired shelter belts in kiwifruit orchards in his employment with a Te Puna contractor.
"He was a big man - he was nice, funny but quiet.
"He would have turned 30 this Christmas. The family is in shock - we are all still in shock."
The couple had been at Mr Wilson's house throughout Saturday and Sunday morning cleaning and cooking for dozens of friends and family members who had flowed through over the weekend.
"Altogether, there must have been about 50 or 60 people coming in and out."
A tangi for Mr Wilson was to be held tomorrow.
His death was the 10th on Western Bay of Plenty roads this year and the second fatal crash in that time involving a motorcycle.
On July 13, Tauranga man Nelson Bruce Commerer died instantly when his motorcycle was in collision with a ute on Oropi Rd.
Police were appealing for more information surrounding the latest crash, which also resulted in one of the four occupants in the other vehicle being admitted to Tauranga Hospital with minor injuries.
People who may have seen a yellow motorcycle in the Te Puna area about 7pm were asked to phone Tauranga Police on (07) 577 4300.
Motorbike victim was devoted to his family
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