Family and friends gather for funeral of teenager killed in Invercargill crash. Video / Supplied
Funerals for two of of the teenagers killed in last week's Invercargill crash have drawn large turnouts today from their Southland communities.
The coffin of Konnor Steele, 16, was brought across the Bluff Rugby club field around 1pm on the back of a ute with his brother and dad sitting in the open air with him.
A large crowd of people gathered outside to greet the delivery of the coffin and then began to filter inside the clubrooms.
There were around 200 people still gathering outside the clubrooms, unable to get inside the packed memorial service.
Steele's cousin spoke first at the memorial and described the 16-year-old as a "rock" for his close-knit family.
The 16-year-old was a keen hunter, fisher and diver.
"In the last week it's really hit home how close our family is," he said.
The coffin of Konnor Steele, 16, being brought across the Bluff Rugby club field on a the back of a ute with his brother and dad sitting in the open air with him. Photo / George Heard
Earlier this morning, friends and family of Maru Tawhai - one of the four teens killed in the crash - gathered in large numbers to his funeral at a marae this morning.
A tangi for 17-year-old victim O Maruhuatau Otuwhare Tawhai, known as Maru to those close to him, has been held at the Ngā Hau E Whā marae in Invercargill for several days.
O Maruhuatau Otuwhare Tawhai, known as Maru, was one of four teenagers killed in an accident in Invercargill when their vehicle collided with a concrete truck. Photo / Supplied
Over an hour before a service for the young teenager was to be held this morning at 11am a congregation of loved ones and locals were lining Conon St.
Cars filled the blocks surrounding the marae and a gathering outside the marae persisted through the morning.
Police and Maori wardens blocked off Conon St from traffic as the group held the service on the road outside of the marae.
The crowd was huddling on the road surrounding a van where Tawahi's body had been placed for transportation to the Eastern Invercargill Cemetery.
Hymns could be heard from inside the marae.
A tangi for 17-year-old victim O Maruhuatau Otuwhare Tawhai, known as "Maru" to those close to him, has been held at the Ngā Hau E Whā marae in Invercargill for several days. Photo / George Heard
At 11.30am, the body was placed in a van for transportation to the cemetery following a haka. Family could be seen hugging beside the van.
Maru died on April 22 in a head-on collision with a concrete truck on Queens Drive, Invercargill, shortly after 4pm.
In the ute with him were his three 16-year-old friends: Konnor Steele, Indaka Rouse and Kyah Kennedy. All of the local mates died at the scene of the crash.
The crash between a concrete truck and a ute took place just before 4pm on Friday. Photo / George Heard
A Givealittle page has been set up by a friend of his family. So far the page has raised over $9000, which will go towards Maru's tangihanga.
"The whānau [is] losing a moko, nephew, cousin and friend. The community losing a handsome young man.
"Maru [is] a 17-year-old young beautiful, talented, caring and cheeky man [who] has been stolen, and hearts are suffering," the family friend wrote.
"Those who know and love Maru will be deeply saddened and I would like to put this page out to whanau & friends wide and far who want to tautoko (support) this whanau in their grief by supporting with [the] financial burden of what has already been a terrible tragedy."
Final farewell for teenager O Maruhuatau Otuwhare Tawha at Invercargill. Photo / George Heard
Māori wardens and police marked every roundabout on the route through the town to Invercargill cemetery as the funeral procession was given a clear path.
A congregation of a few hundred people now gather in one corner of the Eastern Invercargill Cemetery, surrounding the coffin of Tawahi.
Bagpipes are now playing as the coffin is being carried to the grave. A haka is again being performed.
