KEY POINTS:
The teenager who was stabbed to death as he was allegedly about to tag a fence with a mate was farewelled yesterday, surrounded by hundreds of friends and family.
Pihema Cameron, 15, had been lying in state at home in Mangere but was yesterday taken for burial to the Mangere Lawn Cemetery.
Media were banned from entering the cemetery grounds, where mourners turned up in large numbers, - many wearing apple green hats, bandannas and T-shirts.
Many of the T-shirts had a photo of the 15-year-old who was described by family as being a "brother" to the "Strickly Green Tag Team", a street crew that is known to police but is not understood to be a gang.
Pihema lived in Manurewa but attended Papakura High School until September last year.
He died just around the corner from his Mahia Rd home after being chased and then stabbed on Saturday night, allegedly by a 50-year-old man who believed the teenage was about to tag his fence.
Ironically, Pihema's uncle Waa Edmonds works in a 24-hour team aimed at fighting taggers and has said he had no idea his nephew was a tagger.
In one of two death notices this week Pihema was described by his family as a "dearest son and brother, taken away tragically from us too son".
"Our beautiful boy, you are gone but never forgotten. You will always be in our hearts and minds forever."
A second notice, which spoke of the Strickly Green Tag Team, said "Taken before your time baby, souljah for life."
Papakura High School principal Angela Appleby said Pihema and his sister stopped attending the school in September after they moved from the area.
Pihema had three siblings. It is not clear if he moved to a new school once he left Papakura but the teenager was not on the roll at James Cook High, which was around the corner from his home.
One former school friend told the Herald Pihema was "such a great soul".
"I was his classmate for two years and we had such great moments. Rest in peace ma Bro. Miss you lots, aye."
Ms Appleby said support would be offered for Pihema's friends when they returned to school.
Manukau City Councillor Daniel Newman, who attended Pihema's burial, said the ceremony brought to an end another stage in the "sad events that have occurred in Manurewa over recent days".
