Sweet cousins killed in crash

Numerous friends and family members have taken to social media to pay tribute to cousins who died in a crash in West Auckland on Wednesday morning.

Police have confirmed Hendrix Atutolu, 23, and Pia Korewha, 29, were the two people killed in the crash on Henderson Valley Rd. They found the car just after 12.30am crashed into a power pole. Another person was in a critical condition.

“My 2 cousins Hendrix Atutolu, True Korewha my heart aches for our whanau losing two beautiful souls to our aunties, uncle’s, cousins and whanau so sorry for your loss. Wish we could be there right now with use,” one person wrote.

Korewha was a road worker who continued working during alert level 4 restrictions as an essential worker.

A man who worked with her in traffic management for Chevron told the Herald she was loud, loving and funny.

“She is a person that fears nothing but God and [ had] a beautiful voice. You would want to sit there and listen to her all day,” the friend said, who the Herald has agreed not to name.

“She always had a kind heart for people, always there when someone needs a hand, hardworking and never [backs down] when challenges came her way.”

She is being remembered for her talent for singing, with many of those who knew her sharing videos of her singing.

“No one could sing this like you,” one person wrote.

“I miss your amazing voice,” another person wrote.

A third said: “Pia was one of the sweetest cousins we have but you could bloody hear her from a mile away and, as for Hendrix, well he was a cheeky fula but I still loved him just the same.”

It’s understood Atutolu, from Northland, was father to a young son.

An update posted on behalf of the victims’ families said the bodies would be released to funeral home Nga Hau E Wha Tangihanga in Panmure, from the Coroner, and remain there until Covid-19 restrictions allow larger gatherings.