"He was so shy. But he was humble and was always there for you. If you needed anything he would always have your back," she said.
"He was really kind and he always knew how to respect girls.
"I just wish that I could have told him how I felt and I wish that he could hold me again."
Brooke's friend Amiria Goodenough said Sanele was due to graduate from high school in less than two weeks.
"It's just not fair that he was taken so young ... He was kind of robbed and so was his family and all his friends at school and I hope that driver realises it, what he's actually done."
Sanele's usually boisterous Year 11 brother was quiet and "just kind of emotionless" at school yesterday, Amiria said.
His uncle, also called Sanele Pauli, said his nephew didn't want to go out on Sunday night, preferring to watch the cup final on TV, but his younger brothers wanted to go downtown and Sanele felt he needed to look after them.
After the game, they took the bus to Pt Chevalier.
"They got off the bus and apparently they were crossing the road and a car just hit him. It only just missed the other brother.
"Apparently, when it hit him he went flying 5m in the air. Looking at the car, it was just like he hit a power pole. The car got smashed in the front.
"The other boys were trying to help but he died straight away anyway."
Constable Mark Rodgers said police were considering laying charges against the 38-year-old driver of the silver Nissan Primera involved.
They are appealing for witnesses, and anyone with information can contact Mr Rodgers on (09) 359 3116 or email mark.rodgers@police.govt.nz.
