<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The two children who were tragically killed when a riverbank collapsed in the Bay of Plenty have been identified as local boys Luti Maui Mafi and Pauly Lloyd.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pair, aged 10 and 11, died after becoming trapped when the bank gave way at the Tarawera River in Kawerau yesterday, during what had been a day of fishing and playing with friends.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a Facebook post, the whānau of Luti Mafi, 11, said he was a treasured and much-loved son, moko, nephew, cousin and friend - "to many he touched in his short life".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-accused-war-crimes-bail-application/4c5f748b-245e-4a2f-9ce9-218bc168aba7"><strong><span>Roberts-Smith bailed over alleged war crimes</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He brought light, laughter and kindness into the lives of all who knew him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"His bright spirit and gentle soul will be forever remembered and deeply missed."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The whānau said a service would be held for immediate family on Saturday.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/new-zealand-stuff-boys-killed-in-kawerau-riverbank-tragedy-identified-world-news/a3e349a4-3797-4609-bd3d-2454053e3715" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Forever and always in our hearts."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tarawera High School in Kawerau said the death of one its students, who </span><em><span>Stuff</span></em><span> understands to be Mafi, was "a heartbreaking loss" and that the school would close on Monday and Tuesday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kawerau Putauaki School also confirmed one of their students, who </span><em><span>Stuff</span></em><span> understands to be Lloyd, 10, had died.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The school said it too would be closed on Monday and Tuesday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last night, a local junior rugby club shared a message identifying the boys and mourning the loss of two of its young members, describing them as "active and valued members" of their community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Kia ora whanau, for those of you who are unaware, today we lost two of our JAB tamaiti in a tragic accident," the post read.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Both boys lived in Kawerau and attended our local schools. They, along with their whanau were active and valued members of our JAB community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We extend our deepest aroha and awhi to their whanau at this incredible difficult time. Hold your tamaiti close and keep them near.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our hearts are breaking for these boys, their whanau, and for everyone who had the privilege of knowing them.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Moe mai ra korua e nga tama. Kia okioki i te rangimarie."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Tragedy at the river</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Emergency services were called to the Tarawera River near Boyce Park about 11.30am (9.30am AEST) yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police said a group of children had been fishing and playing on the northern side of the river when the bank gave way.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A rescue operation was launched, with police and Fire and Emergency NZ working to locate two of the boys who had become trapped.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Sadly, two people were located deceased a short time later," Acting Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Phil Gillbanks said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gillbanks said two police officers had swam across the river and attempted to dig for the children with their bare hands, but they could not be saved.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Local resident Kurūtia Tanoa said he rushed to the river after hearing a rescue helicopter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our kids were in distress telling me their mate is stuck under the bank," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tanoa said three children were involved in the collapse, but one managed to free himself.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Parents of the deceased turned up and there was a lot of tears going around. We as a community are always saddened when our tamariki are involved in an accident," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguards in an IRB assisted emergency services to bring the boys and rescue personnel back across the river, where they were met by grieving whānau.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am extremely proud of the two police staff and the local volunteer fire brigade staff who did everything they could to locate the victims in perilous circumstances," Gillbanks said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Local kaumātua have performed karakia and placed a rāhui on the Tarawera River.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Tūwharetoa has placed a cultural rāhui on the Tarawera River following the tragic incident earlier today," a statement from Tūwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The rāhui will remain in place until the 23 April 2026, and prohibits activities such as fishing, swimming, and all other recreational use of the river during this time."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>People wishing to pay respects could do so from a distance, on the western (town side) of the Tarawera River near the Judo Club, she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Access was not permitted on the Eastern (Manukorihi side) side of the river.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>'Hardest of days'</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kawerau mayor Faylene Tunui acknowledged the deaths of the children with "the heaviest heart" via a post on the Kawerau District Council Facebook page today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tunui said the community would unite to support the families "where and when appropriate".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"In these hardest of days we see the best of our community. Rest In Love."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The deaths of the boys were referred to the coroner.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=9news.com.au" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>