Herewini Gates, the 16-year-old killed after the ute he was driving crashed this week, has been remembered as "a bright, popular, talented young man" with "huge potential".
Police released the Tauranga teen's name yesterday afternoon and extended their sympathies to his family and friends.
Herewini had been travelling in a ute with a passenger when it crashed through an Otumoetai property about 1am on Monday, waking the elderly residents inside and their neighbours.
Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell told the Bay of Plenty Times Herewini had attended the college from the start of Year 9 until the end of Year 10.
"School just wasn't Herewini's forte and he went on to attend Tauranga Youth Agency.