The 10-year-old boy who died following a fatal fire in Hastings on Monday has been named.
He was Ariki River Baden Mau of Camberley, Hastings.
He attended Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga and Peter Kireka known as Matua Pete, his teacher, expressed his condolences last night.
Mr Kireka had taught the Ariki for the past two years and said he was a "budding" and "inquisitive" student, who always had something to say.
"He was very passionate about what he believed was right and was the kind of person who held an opinion. He would make you laugh and he was a boy fully involved with the kura."