Mum mourns her 'little boy'

Eighteen-year-old Kruze Waaka-Skudder was killed in a car accident on Wednesday. Photo/Supplied

THE mother of the 18-year-old killed in a crash in Whakamarama on Wednesday shed tears for her "little boy", who grew up standing up to bullies.

He loved Tauranga so much he had the phone prefix "07" tattooed on his arm.

The family of Kruze Delma Waitohi Waaka-Skudder spoke exclusively to the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend in their Papamoa home, where his body was laid out.

They sat around his body yesterday evening, holding his hands, and lovingly spoke of cherished memories of the young man who was tragically killed on March 4 after the Subaru car he was a passenger in and a truck collided.

The crash happened on Plummers Point Rd, near Bruntwood Dr, about 5.15pm on Wednesday.

Mr Waaka-Skudder's mother Lisa Skudder said her "little boy" had just moved back to the Bay of Plenty after spending a few months in Hawke's Bay with his paternal grandmother and sister.

Ms Skudder said there was nothing she would not miss about her son.

"Just him not being here, I just wish he was still here, I wish it hadn't happened. It happened too fast. He wasn't supposed to go before me. We all want him here," she said, fighting back tears.

Mr Waaka-Skudder was born in Hastings on February 17, 1997, and the Waaka-Skudder family moved to the Bay in 2001. He was the third eldest of six siblings.

Growing up, Mr Waaka-Skudder wore glasses, something school bullies would take advantage of, she said.

"He always fought for the underdog, even at school. He would stick up for kids who were getting picked on ... He got picked on for a long time at primary school for wearing glasses but he would just chase them down. So anyone he saw having a hard time, whether it primary, intermediate, or high school he would stick up for them too.

"He had the cheekiest grin. He would pull funny faces and his beautiful big smile. He was a beautiful boy, absolutely beautiful. Very pleasant. He would talk to anyone."

The 18-year-old enjoyed rapping, making videos and hoped to pursue a career in music, she said. "He was was very clever with his words and what he would fit into a sentence and the way he would explain it."

Ms Skudder said when Mr Waaka-Skudder had left for Hawke's Bay late last year he had been a "skinny thing".

"But when he got back, he had filled out, real beefy and healthy, he looked really awesome. Really beautiful."

However, she said her boy could not wait to get home to the Bay.

"Even though he was born in Hastings, this is home. He couldn't wait, he's even got '07' tattooed on his arm. He loved it here. It was home."

Mr Waaka-Skudder's sister Uriah Skudder said the last time she had seen him was when she dropped him off at the bus stop to catch a bus back to Tauranga.

"I just love him. I miss him."

Mr Waaka-Skudder leaves behind his five siblings Zion, Uriah, Evangaline, Ocean and Malachi, his parents Lisa Skudder and Barry Walker and grandparents Kay Flett, Desmond Skudder and Joan Walker.

A service will be held at 19A Hartford Ave, Papamoa on Monday at 10.30am. Those who loved Mr Waaka-Skudder and want to pay their respects are welcome to attend the service.