Young Lomu thrived in sport, especially athletics and rugby, and made it his goal to represent New Zealand.
Jonah Lomu was just an ordinary kid from South Auckland.
He may have gone on to become an international rugby hero, but those who knew him in his younger days describe a kid from humble beginnings.
One of Lomu's childhood friends, Tara Tupou, said the old days had seen allthe kids on their Mangere street playing games after school.
"Back then we didn't have internet, so we just played old school outside. We'd hang out pretty much every day. We all went to Favona Primary School and we'd hang out with the whole street.
"We would play all sorts of games and Friday night was the best because we were all allowed to play a little bit later."
The young Lomu had thrived in sport, especially athletics and rugby, and had made it his goal to represent New Zealand one day.
"From when he was in primary, he was adamant that he was going to be an All Black."
Ms Tupou grew up in the house next to Lomu's family home. She has since bought the house next to her parents' place and would often see Lomu popping in at his old house.
Assistant principal Chris Bean. Photo / Doug Sherring
He was always normal, "as if we've seen him all the time".
"He's never changed, he's always known where he was from, always remembered everybody he grew up with."
When Lomu was in his teens, his mother Hepi enrolled him at Wesley College - a Methodist boys' school with a strong connection with the Tongan community.
The school held an assembly to break the news to students and staff yesterday afternoon.
Assistant principal Chris Bean was on the Wesley teaching staff in 1993 - Lomu's final year in high school.
"He was just like any other kid. He had a passion for athletics and rugby. He was the captain of the First XV in his final year and he was the sports dux as well that year."
Asked what he remembered the most about the teenage Lomu, Mr Bean said: "I know he turned into the superstar - and everyone says that about him - but he was just a real genuine nice guy and a good person to talk to. He was just a normal guy."
Chris Grinter was deputy head at Wesley College when Lomu was a student and was his coach for three years.
"I noticed his talent on day one, he was tall and slim for a Year 9 boy. But whether it was athletics, basketball or rugby, any sport really, he had this incredible natural ability."
Mr Grinter remembered Lomu as a "strapping young lad" who fitted right into the school.
"Physically, he was a wonderful athlete. It was great to see him progress and turn this immense talent into a sporting ability.
"It was a thrill to watch him make the most of this."
In Lomu's 2004 autobiography, coach Grinter was credited with helping steer the young teen on to the right path as the "first real father figure since I [Lomu] had left Tonga".
Jonah Lomu, head boy and 1st XV captain. File photo / Tim Mackrell
"The young Lomu hung out with a gang that beat people up on the streets and stole cars.
"It could have all gone so differently, but he was saved by school sport and Chris Grinter," the book read.
Mr Grinter said it wasn't difficult to steer the teen on to a more positive path.
