The two boys killed when a riverbank collapsed at a popular Kawerau swimming spot have been named as Paul Lloyd, 10, and Luti Maui Mafi, 11.
Both victims have been identified in Facebook posts made on behalf of each of their whānau.
“Luti brought light, laughter, and kindness into the lives of all who knew him. His bright spirit and gentle soul will be forever remembered and deeply missed,” a post read.
Donations to support Luti’s whānau can be deposited to this account:
Paul was remembered in a Facebook post as a “treasured and beloved” son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.
“Paul was a talented young man who loved the outdoors and was always on the go. He always had a bright smile that lightened the room,” the tribute read.
Donations to support Paul’s whānau can be deposited to this account:
The pair were playing and fishing with friends next to the Tarawera River in the Bay of Plenty town, 58km east of Rotorua, when the bank fell, trapping them, just before 11.30am yesterday.
Police officers swam across and began digging with their bare hands before volunteer firefighters arrived to help.
Despite desperate attempts to free the boys, both were eventually found dead.
Luti was a “treasured and much loved” son, moko, nephew, cousin, and friend “to many he touched in his short life”, family wrote on Facebook.
Immediate whānau would gather in remembrance tonight, before welcoming “all who knew and loved Luti to join us in honouring his life” from tomorrow.
“Forever & always in our hearts Luti.”
A post on behalf of Paul’s family said his immediate whānau would be getting together tonight.
“Whanau and friends who wish to pay their respects are more than welcome to come Saturday onwards,” the post read.
Both boys were members of Kawerau JAB Rugby, which posted about the boys’ deaths on its Facebook page hours after the tragedy.
“Today we lost two of our JAB tamaiti in a tragic accident. Both boys lived in Kawerau and attended our local schools.
“They, along with their whānau, were active and valued members of our JAB community.”
They gave their “deepest aroha and awhi” to the boys’ whānau, the club wrote.
“Hold your tamaiti close and keep them near. Our hearts are breaking for these boys, their whānau, and for everyone who had the privilege of knowing them.”
Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui said the town was standing in “love and solidarity” with the boys’ families.
It was “with the heaviest heart” that she acknowledged the deaths, Tunui wrote on Facebook this morning.
“Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones.”
She knew the community would unite to support the families, when and where appropriate, she wrote.
“In these hardest of days, we see the best of our community.”
She thanked police and firefighters who reacted “with speed and care” when the alarm was raised.
Police have returned the boys’ bodies to whānau and their deaths have been referred to the coroner.
Local iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa have placed a rāhui on the river until next Thursday, with access also not allowed on the eastern side of the river.
People who wished to pay their respects could do so from a distance, on the town side of the river near the judo club, Tunui said.
Yesterday afternoon, the area was taped off and about 35 people gathered just beyond the cordon after news of the incident broke.
Some embraced while others looked on quietly towards the riverbank. One young girl was in tears.
Three others who were at the scene were also treated yesterday by ambulance staff.
One local Kawerau woman told the Herald she knew the families and the victims were “great boys”.
“They were just fishing, doing nothing wrong, not being naughty. They were really good boys.”
She described Kawerau, a small town with a population of just over 7680, as a community where everyone knows everyone.
With few accidents happening in the region, she said, the community had been greatly affected by the loss.
“We all know each other here. It’s such a terrible tragedy ... that’s why our town is so silent today.”