The two boys killed when a riverbank collapsed at a popular Kawerau swimming spot have been named as Pauly Lloyd, 10, and Luti Maui Mafi, 11.

Mafi was identified in a post on Facebook on behalf of his 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.”

Donations to support Luti’s whānau can be deposited to this account:

• Liam Wade
• 03-1757-0128908-08

Enjoying a bit of school holiday fun, the boys had been playing and fishing with friends next to the Tarawera River when the bank fell, trapping them. 

Emergency responders were unable to free the children after being called to the scene at 11.30am, despite police efforts to dig them out with their bare hands. 

Whānau for one of the boys have shared a tribute on Facebook describing him as having a “bright spirit and gentle soul”. 

The family member said he had “brought light, laughter, and kindness into the lives of all who knew him” and had been a “treasured and much loved” son, brother, moko, nephew, cousin and friend. 

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. 

The scene were two children died in a cliffbank slip at the Tarawera River near Boyce Park, Kawerau. Photo / Jason Dorday 

With few accidents happening in the region, she said the community has 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.” 

The local said the region was hit hard by rain in recent Cyclone Vaianu, and that it would have softened the cliff near the popular swimming spot. 

“It’s a huge, wide cliff made from clay. The heavy rain definitely wouldn’t have helped.” 

Another woman was seen down at the river where the tragedy took place, planting a small tree and putting up a homemade cross in the boys’ honour. 

“There are no words,” she said, as she walked away wiping a tear. 

Kawerau South School principal Raylene Gage-Te Hau told the Herald that, while their school wasn’t directly impacted, the entire community is feeling it. 

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed but the town is really quiet today.” 

Gage-Te Hau said she had known both of the families, and, while they hadn’t attended Kawerau South, “they were still our boys collectively”. 

A crowd gathered at Tarawera River yesterday while the rescue operation was still underway. Photo / Annabel Reid 

Many members of the community have shared an outpouring of grief for the children overnight. 

The Kawerau junior rugby club where the two boys had played posted a tribute yesterday, sharing that it had been a “privilege” to know them. 

“Both boys lived in Kawerau and attended our local schools. They, along with their whānau, were active and valued members of our JAB community. 

“We extend our deepest aroha and awhi to their whanau at this incredibly difficult time,” the post read. 

Kawerau’s mayor, , also shared the town’s “love and solidarity” with the families on her social media. 

“Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones,” Tunui wrote. 

“As a community, I know that, where and when appropriate, we will unite to support the families. In these hardest of days, we see the best of our community.”