Saturday, 18 April 2026
Kawerau District Council wishes to acknowledge the moving messages of love, loss, and hope left in tribute to Paul and Luti.
"The memorial board records how they touched the lives of so many in our community, and how they were loved deeply in return. There are messages from family, friends, and even strangers grieving their tragic loss," said Her Worship the Mayor Faylene Tunui.
Tomorrow morning a Council ope (group) will attend the tangihanga of both Paul and Luti. The Council ope will carry the crosses, flowers, and messages representing the community’s tributes to both boys.
Council will carry these messages in the spirit of love in which the community has gifted them.
"We thank each and every person who left a tribute, and we advise the community that the Council ope will uplift the memorial at 8am Sunday (8am 19 April 2026)."
For anyone who wishes to leave a tribute, please do so before then.
Rest in Love.
- Her Worship the Mayor of Kawerau Faylene Tunui
4:00pm Friday, 17 April 2026
Kia ora tatou our hāpori | community of Kawerau.
We acknowledge the thoughts and messages of aroha and support that have been shared for our two sons / mokopuna of our Kawerau Community.
We appreciate that many in our community are seeking ways to show support and love, while respectfully allowing the whānau pani | grieving whānau time and space to have their sons home and returned to them.
Be it through heartfelt social media messages, by gathering our tamariki / mokopuna closer to us, or simply taking a moment alone to reflect in prayer, we are united in our collective thoughts of grief and sadness.
In agreement with whānau | family of both of our sons, you are invited to show your aroha | love through the giving of putiputi | flowers and or sharing of kupu aroha | messages of love at a memorial area on the Boyce Park / Judo Club side of our Tarawera Awa if this is a way in which you would like to continue to show your love and support for our families. This memorial area is temporarily in place, then it will be given to whānau.
We appreciate your continued support in respect of the rāhui (restriction on access or use) that is in place over recreational activities on the Tarawera Awa | River until 23 April 2026, under the authority of tangata whenua iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
Rest in love.
Please respect the privacy of the whānau, loved ones and the community by not publishing photos of the names online until further notice
- Kawerau District Council
7:00am Friday, 17 April 2026
- Message from Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui
"It is with the heaviest heart that I acknowledge the tragic passing of the two young people of our community.
"Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones.
"As a community I know that, where and when appropriate, we will unite to support the families.
"In these hardest of days we see the best of our community.
"I also acknowledge the first responders, including local Police and the local volunteer firefighters, who reacted with speed and care when the alarm was raised yesterday.
"Under the authority of tangata whenua iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa, there is now a rāhui (restriction on access or use) in place over recreational activities on the Tarawera River until 23 April 2026.
"Out of respect for the tragedy, please honour the restriction, and the privacy of the families."
"Rest In Love."
- Her Worship the Mayor of Kawerau Faylene Tunui
*People wishing to pay their respects could do so from a distance, on the Western (or Town side) of the Tarawera River near the Judo Club. Access is not permitted on the Eastern (Manukorihi) side of the river.
5.45pm update Thursday 16 April 2026
Her Worship Mayor Faylene Tunui extends her love and condolences on behalf of community
"It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the tragic passing of two young people in our community today.
"As a community we acknowledge the devastating loss of these two young people, and extend our deepest sympathies to both families and loved ones.
"This is every parent’s worst nightmare.
"Our community will offer aroha (love) and tautoko (support) to the families in any way they can.
"At this tragic time, I ask that the community also allows NZ Police and other services the space they need to undertake their work.
"He mihi aroha (acknowledgements of love)."
- Her Worship the Mayor of Kawerau Faylene Tunui
on behalf of the Kawerau District Council and the Kawerau Community
also a notice the NZ Police are asking people to stay away from the site of the incident for the rāhui, safety reasons and out of respect for the familiies.
1.30pm Thursday, 16 April 2026
An incident occured today in our community.
We understand the New Zealand Police, Fire Emergency New Zealand and St John are at the scene.
We ask that Kawerau allow these emergency services to do their mahi.
We as a community will be updated in due course.
- Kawerau District Council
ends/.
For media queries please contact Council on 07 306 9009