One of the people killed in a horrific crash in Pakuranga was teenager Nathan Quist.
A female, also believed to be a teenager, was also killed in the crash.
Pakuranga residents reported hearing a "loud bang" about 4.30am on Friday before two people were found dead in a crashed car in Pakuranga about 7.30am.
On Facebook, Kenny Quist paid tribute to the young man saying, "I was so looking forward to seeing you grow up.. such a bright future".
"So sad - this guy had potential," a friend wrote.
Dozens of other friends expressed their shock.
"Glad to have met you young man. RIP," one said.
"Rest in love my homie. Fly High," said another.
A school friend described Nathan as an "amazing person".
"You were striving to be better a person and I believed that you did," he said.
Police said speed appeared to be a factor in the Pakuranga Rd crash in which the pair, a male and a female, were killed.
Senior Sergeant Jono Chappell said investigations have found that the crash took place at about that time.
"Early indications suggest that speed appears to be a factor in this crash, however this will form part of the investigation by our Serious Crash Unit."
A bunch of flowers this afternoon lay at the scene of the crash.
A patch of torn up grass marks where the car appeared to have come off the road.
Two street lights had been knocked over and a fence on the side of Pakuranga Rd was crumpled and partially ripped off.
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The car itself had been removed from the scene, though several police officers remained stationed on Udys Rd, near Pakuranga Rd.
One woman told the Herald her mother heard the crash in the early hours but she herself did not hear anything until the steady sound of sirens later in the morning.
The car had veered off Pakuranga Rd and crashed into a building near Udys Rd and Johns Lane. It was severely damaged and split into at least four pieces.
The building contains a number of businesses, including a dentist's practice.
Police were called to the incident about 7.20am.
The Serious Crash Unit attended and diversions were in place blocking several blocks on Pakuranga Rd.
Traffic was diverted off the road at the intersections of Lewis Road, Glenmore Road and Gossamer Drive.
The large cordon around the crash area has been lifted and police thanked motorists for their patience.
Police want to hear from anyone who saw a dark-coloured Honda Accord near Pakuranga Road about 4.30am.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Counties Manukau Serious Crash Unit on 09 261 1300," he said.
The deaths have been referred to the Coroner
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