A young Tongan woman has become the first person to die on New Zealand roads in 2015 after the car she was passenger in hit a power pole shortly after 6.15am near East Tamaki.
Lavi Taimani, 22, of Onehunga was one of seven people in the car. Police said four of them were taken to Middlemore Hospital with minor injuries but they had since been discharged.
Police believed speed and alcohol were both factors in the fatal crash.
On her Facebook page Pou Tupou sent the dead woman a tribute and said: “R.I.P Lovey Taimani Still can’t believe that you’re Gone Ofa Lahi Atu ki ho kii fofonga malimali..What A Beautiful Girl with a Beautiful HEART…”
Police said the investigation into the crash was continuing.
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