KEY POINTS:
The ticket was a 19th birthday present from Sang Je Lee's mother, but he never got it.
Instead he was struck down in a hit and run early yesterday morning while camping out to get his prized Red Hot Chili Peppers ticket.
The 18-year-old, an exchange student from Korea living in Whangarei, had phoned home to ask permission for the outing.
The only child was waiting with friends outside a ticket outlet, but apparently moved away from the group to admire the night sky.
He was hit about 3.25am by a dark car thought to be driven by a boy racer.
His host, Byung Kuoog Kim, said Sang Je managed to stumble back over to his friends after he was hit.
In hospital, Sang Je spoke to him and his wife, Minjoo Kim.
"He was not upset," said Mr Kim. "He thought everything was going to be okay."
Sang Je died after surgery yesterday morning.
Mr Kim said Sang Je had been a student at Pompallier College for three years and was like part of his family.
Fighting tears, he said he told Sang Je to be careful before he went out and called before he went to bed at 11.30pm to check everything was all right.
Mrs Kim collapsed on hearing the news.
A shrine to Sang Je in the Kims' living room showed happy photos of the outgoing teenager. Red Hot Chili Peppers songs rang out from a CD player.
Talented at golf, soccer and hockey, Sang Je was a good student who excelled at chemistry.
His former English tutor, Susan Kim, Mr Kim's niece, said he worked hard.
"Many Koreans send their children here. They feel it's better than what they can offer them at home. They feel this is a more cleaner, safer environment - that's ironic."
Mr Kim pleaded for the driver to contact police. He said boy racers were a problem in Whangarei that caused him to lose sleep. He urged them to think of the consequences.
"Think how hard a life Sang Je's parents will have to live for ever. There will be a big scar in their life and me and my family and Sang Je's friends' lives."
Sang Je's parents, who are family friends of the Kims, are due in New Zealand today.
Meanwhile the band sent their condolences.
A spokeswoman for the Red Hot Chili Peppers said the band and management were "shocked by the loss of such a young life".
Detective Shane Pilmer said witnesses saw a grey or gun-metal grey Nissan Skyline with two people inside hit Sang Je and speed away.
