The family of a teenager who died in a hit-and-run in West Auckland have spoken to media this afternoon.

Police closed the road while the press conference was held at the scene on Rua Road, New Lynn.

LISTEN ABOVE: ZB Reporter Gia Garrick is at the scene.

Jacob Pakura, 16, died after he was hit by a car when he was skateboarding near his New Lynn home on Saturday night.

Bunches of brightly coloured flowers have been placed around a power pole, while handpicked agapanthus and hydrangea posies wilt in the bright sunshine.

Police told the media that neighbours have reported hearing a car speeding down the street around the time Jacob Pakura would have been hit.

An officer at the scene said the driver would know "without doubt'' that they have hit somebody.

It was possible that the driver had taken their vehicle to a friend to get fixed and fabricated a story to explain the damage.

Police confirmed Jacob died at the scene after initially being found unconscious.

The incident was "around midnight on Saturday night,'' police said.

Members of Jacob's family cried and hugged each other at the scene where their son and brother's life came to an end.

Pakura's mum Esther tearfully read her statement. Her voice broke as she told the crowd that her son loved life.

"This person hit Jacob...they don't know what they've taken away from us.

"They don't know how much of an awesome person he was.

"Jacob loved life. He loved life and he took every opportunity that he got.

"He loved his skateboard. He had lots of friends and was very charismatic. He got along with everyone.''

His sister Jasmin Pakura took over from Esther and emotionally finished the statement.

"Why couldn't you stop? That was our baby.

"When you hit him, you didn't just hit Jacob - you hit his whole family. You took away everything, you took away our family.

"Please give our family some closure and come forward.''

Jacob's father Jason Pakura was also with the family as they read their statement.

Around 40 people, many of them young friends of the 16 year old, gathered to bless the segment of road that Pakura died on.

Kaumatua reverend Fred Holloway led the group to the scene and said a karakia. They then sung the Maori hymn whakaaria mai.

Pakura's Dad, sister and a few of his friends paid a small tribute to the victim.

"You're the best friend I ever could have asked for... so sad," said one friend.

"You'll always be in our hearts," said another friend.

The young men hid their tears in their long fringes as they remembered their friend. Pakura's closest friends and family huddled into each other and cried.

Jacob, a student at Avondale College, would have started as a year 13 student in a few weeks.

This morning, principal Brent Lewis described the tragedy as "horrendous.''

He paid tribute to the youngster, who had a keen interest in automative and mechanical engineering.

"He was a very lively and lovely young man who was outgoing and a person of social influence among his peers."

It has also been revealed that Jacob had a hearing impairment.

 

Can you help? Anyone with information is urged to call Waitakere Police: (09) 837 9511 or CrimeStoppers anonymous: 0800 555 111.