Locals in the settlement, many of them related to Mr Rahiri, told the Herald they had been pushing for authorities to make their roads safer after witnessing many near-misses from speeding vehicles.
One relative, who did not want to be named, said their worst fears had been losing a family member on the highway.
"We always cringe when there's accidents close by ... usually it's out-of-towners causing accidents," she said.
Another family member, Mauaie Moko, was shocked to learn the dead motorist was Mr Rahiri - a young father she had known her whole life.
"I've known him since he was a baby ... he's a nice boy, always going to the rugby ... I love him like my own son."
She was surprised he had died on roads he knew well.
"He's been driving these roads for years - he's been riding all of his life."
Ms Moko said the tragedy would be a blow to all in the community.
"We are all whanau here, all related - there'll be a very big tangi."
She said she was sick of seeing serious accidents in the area and blamed most of the crashes on "crazy drivers".
"We get the cops out here and they only park up for a little while," she said.
"It's dangerous, because our kids just walk out on the road because they think this is home and they can walk from the school to the marae ... there's been a few close calls there."
Tauranga police Sergeant Rob Glencross said the Tauranga-based serious crash unit was continuing its investigation.
