Kelston Boys High School students offer moving tribute for much-loved peer

Pupils of Auckland's Kelston Boys' High School delivered a moving tribute after the death of one of their own. Photo / Facebook

Pupils of Auckland's Kelston Boys High School delivered a moving tribute after the death of one of their own.

Student Tofi Toelupe died due to a medical event recently.

Fellow students and teachers performed a moving tribute as his body passed through the gates of the West Auckland school one last time on his way to his funeral on Thursday.

In the video, students can be seen lining the driveway and performing a powerful haka as he is slowly driven through the crowd.

RIP Tofi Toelupe

RIP Tofi Toelupe ✝️ What an emotional farewell to a member of our student body this morning as he passed through the school gates one last time on the way to his final resting place. Rest in Love Tofi, 💙 you will be sadly missed. Kia ka ha to your family and friends.

Posted by Kelston Boys' High School on Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Acting Kelston Intermediate principal Kiri Laing acknowledged Tofi in the school's latest newsletter, describing him as a "cheerful and lovable student".

"I would like to take a moment to acknowledge a past student of ours who recently
passed," Laing said.

"Tofi Toelupe was a Year 11 student at Kelston Boys, he passed this week
and this is a very sad event for our Kelston whanau. We have many staff members
who remember Tofi as a cheerful and lovable student, always with a smile on his
dial.

"He was a loved member of Te Urunga and taught by Mr Maharaj. Our
condolences to his whanau and his whanau both here and at Kelston Boys."

Kelston Boys High principal Adeline Blair also paid tribute to Toelupe in a school newsletter, calling it the hardest two weeks she had experienced as a principal.

"As a kura, we have had to bind together more strongly recently in mourning the loss of our Year 11 son and brother, Tofilua Toelupe.

"His passing last week was sudden and the effects on us will take time to heal.

"We want Tofi's aiga to know our thoughts and prayers are with them and that Tofi will be fondly remembered," Blair said.

She also asked for everyone to make the most of the opportunities on offer and to seize the day as "life is fleeting".

Neither Laing nor Toelupe's family wanted to comment when approached by the Herald.

The coroner is investigating his death.

Meanwhile, his death comes a year after tragedy struck the school when father Karl Charles Hickey, 53, died on the sideline while supporting his daughter, Leah, at a physical disability rugby league training.

He collapsed after a suspected heart attack.