Young Gisborne father killed in forestry accident named as Piri Bartlett

Gisborne man Te Oho Mauri Piripi, 23, has been named as the victim of the forestry accident in Tauwhareparae yesterday. Photo / Google Maps

A young father from Gisborne has been named as the victim of a forestry accident yesterday.

Police today named 23-year-old Te Oho Mauri Piripi as the man killed in a remote forestry area in Tauwhareparae.

Emergency services were called there just after 2.30pm following reports of an accident.

"Despite the efforts of emergency services personnel, the man has died at the scene,'' police said.

Piripi, who also went by the surname Bartlett, was a proud new dad to son Te Mauri o Rehua Ariki, the Gisborne Herald reported.

Friends and family members have paid tribute to their brother on social media; many noting how proud he was to be a father and a partner to fiancee Te Rangimarie.

One mate wrote: "Him and Rangi were the perfect couple. Made the perfect baby. I remember asking him this year at rugby: 'Where's Rehua'? And he would always say: 'With my darling'!

"He was happy and seemed really in love with her. They were made for each other.''

East Coast Labour Party candidate Kiri Allan also tweeted that today marks a year since his cousin Niko Brooke died in another forestry accident.

Today marks 1 year since 24 y/o Niko Brooking passed away in forestry accident. Y/day, his 2nd cuz Piri Bartlett died in forestry accident.

— Kiri Allan (@KiriAllan) August 22, 2017

WorkSafe and police have both launched investigations into the circumstances of Piripi's death.

"Police extend their deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Piripi during this sad time.''