A Facebook page set up over the weekend in his memory was flooded with tributes yesterday.
One person described him as a "hau tutu" (mischief-maker) while others spoke of how his life ended too soon and how they would look after his girlfriend and young daughter.
"We had our days my bro but me and you always clicked ... Wen you needed sumfing I was ther wen I needed sumfing y ... ou wer always ther ... Love you so muc for that," said one.
It is understood Mr Kingi's body was taken to Whakamarama Marae in Te Awamutu yesterday afternoon for his tangi.
A person at the marae said his mother Gloria had arrived from Australia and other family members also from across the Tasman and throughout New Zealand were making their way home.
Acting Waikato District road policing manager, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno of the Waikato Highway Patrol, said Mr Kingi was the sole occupant of the Mitsubishi saloon.
"We're still working to establish the time of the crash. However, Mr Kingi left Cambridge about 4.30am and was expected at work about 5am," said Mr Penno.
"An ambulance was called to the scene on SH3, on the northern side of Otorohanga, at about 7.45am. The serious crash unit is investigating the cause of the crash.
"However, initial indications are Mr Kingi failed to negotiate a slight right hand bend and his car left the road, hitting a tree."
Mr Penno said the car then went down a bank.
"At this stage speed appears to have been a contributing factor in the crash and Mr Kingi's death is the 10th on Waikato roads so far this year compared to 12 for the same period in 2011.
"We're urging drivers not to get complacent."
Death toll
* 10 deaths on Waikato roads so far this year
* 12 deaths for the same period last year
