Joseph Lavell Parker (left) and Beraiah Hales.
The family of Roast Buster Beraiah Hales were yesterday relieved the police investigation is over and say he has been vindicated.
Speaking for the first time, his older sister told the Herald that Beraiah's youth had been taken from him and while he had said and done some stupid things, he was no criminal.
"It has affected him in many ways. Mainly the loss of being able to live like an 18-year-old," said his sister, who didn't want her name used.
"It was hard on everyone in our family for different reasons, mainly because we know Beraiah's character. We know all young people do and say silly things ... "
She said a lot of time and energy had been wasted in investigating her brother.
"I am absolutely pleased about it being over ... He has done so well with the pressure, he has dealt with everything in a very mature manner and this has been incredibly tough on him mainly because he is innocent."
She said Mr Hales spoke to her about his involvement with the initial complainant, but she would not be drawn on it.
"I'm not saying what happened is right. It most definitely isn't, but the nation reacted in a way which has ended the youth of two very young men - only to have [an outcome] like this."
According to his Facebook page Mr Hales is in a new relationship, studying and living back in Auckland after going into hiding last year when the scandal broke.
"He is very happy," his sister said, "doing his own thing in his own way with the love and support of all of his family and true friends."
She was not angry with the police, but "disgusted" by the way the public reacted to yesterday's announcement.
Mr Hales was getting death threats sent to him through social media "worse than last time", she said.
"It's hard to say if it's anger I feel. The relief of hearing the positive result is more or less taken away from everything else.
"I'm not angry with the police," she said. "They have done their jobs and proving his innocence has proved that to me."
Mr Hales' sister said she found it "extremely hard" to see her brother's image on television and in newspapers during the investigation.
"That was actually the hardest part. Walking into shops and seeing the newspapers, that was by far the hardest part," she said. "As a family you have to deal with it in the most appropriate way you know how but to add to it with all the other stuff surrounding you is just very draining."
She said Mr Hales was ready to move on with his life, as were his family.
Mr Hales did not respond to messages yesterday.
But in January he told the Herald he was "not worried" about the investigation. "As long as I know the truth I'll be fine," he said.
He described himself and co-accused Joseph Parker as "the most hated people in New Zealand" and refused to defend himself against "something that isn't true. As I said before, as long as I know the truth I'll be fine".
Watch: Roastbusters - No charges to be laid
2011:
15-year-old victim lays complaint with police about the Roast Busters group's alleged activities.
2011: Green Bay High School counsellor claims she went to senior management to raise concerns about alleged Roast Buster Beraiah Hales.
April 2012: Green Bay High receives allegations about Hales.
May 2012: Hales leaves Green Bay High.
November 3, 2013: Videos emerge of a group of boys calling themselves the Roast Busters showing them laughing and bragging about having sex with drunk and underage girls.
Detective Inspector Bruce Scott says although police were aware of the group, there was nothing they could do until a girl was "brave enough" to make a formal complaint.
November 5, 2013: Superintendent Bill Searle says none of the girls from the original inquiry wanted to make a formal complaint.
November 6, 2013: 15-year-old girl comes forward to say she laid a formal complaint with police in 2011 - when she was 13. Police later confirm this is true.
November 7, 2013: After calls for action, Police Minister Anne Tolley announces she has asked the Independent Police Conduct Authority to investigate.
November 12, 2013: Police child sexual abuse specialist Detective Inspector Karyn Malthus is appointed to head the newly named Operation Clover.
November 16, 2013: Nationwide protests take place, with hundreds calling for an end to the country's "rape culture".
November 17, 2013: Girl who says she made a complaint to police two years before reveals she made a second complaint after the Roast Busters scandal.
November 21, 2013: Petition presented to MPs outside Parliament with more than 110,000 signatures calling for more action for the alleged victims of the Roast Busters.
December 12, 2013: Then Police Commissioner Peter Marshall grilled by a select committee in Wellington about the police response to the case.
October 29, 2014: Police release findings of Operation Clover and announce that no prosecutions will be made because of insufficient evidence.