Tauranga teen remembered as 'amazing young man with huge potential'

A vehicle crashed into a Otumoetai Rd house killing Herewini Gates. Photo/supplied

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.

"Herewini was a really likeable, bright young man, who was really honest as the day is long and so full of beans. It's really sad. When I heard how he had died I thought 'oh no, not this young man'. What a waste of a life. Herewini had so much potential.

"It's a tragic end to a young life cut short. My condolences and sympathies go out to Herewini's whanau and friends," he said.

Tauranga Youth Academy manager Nynette Martin said Herewini studied at the academy for one year and left at the end of 2015.

"It has been incredibly sad to hear of Herewini's death. Our love, condolences and commiserations go to his family and everybody who knew him.

"This young man had such huge potential. Herewini was very likeable, and hugely popular with the students and staff, and quick to make friends.

"Herewini was extremely bright and an incredibly talented sportsman at lots of sports. He was just an amazing young man which makes his death even sadder," she said.

A message posted on Melrose Funeral Home's facebook page stated a service had been held for Herewini Gates at Wairoa Marae yesterday.