Raised in Ōtara as one of 16 siblings, Tristyn was a talented boxer and kickboxer who represented New Zealand at a championship tournament in Malaysia and dreamed of pursuing the sport professionally.
His father, Gee Nathan, recalled enrolling him in gyms at a young age as an outlet for early aggression.
“He didn’t like it at first, but grew to love it,” he said, pointing proudly to his son’s impressive haul of medals and trophies.
The whānau said the support they received from Tristyn’s gym community after his death was overwhelming, revealing the scale of his impact on others.
“When he loved, he loved hard,” Kerry said, describing her brother as mischievous and “a rebel through and through”.
Gee Nathan and his children Kerry, baby Kai, and Honey with a photo of the late Tristyn Nathan. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
She said the whānau enjoyed the “time of our lives” celebrating Christmas together, with Tristyn helping out on hāngī duties.
Only weeks later, they were faced with the heartbreaking responsibility of turning off his life support after tests showed his condition was not improving.
“In my mind, I was still hoping,” Gee said, explaining that Tristyn was strong-headed and would often do the opposite of what he was told just to prove a point.
“I thought if we said, ‘Okay then, son, if you want to go, go,’ maybe a miracle might happen, and he might have come back to us, but it never happened.”
Tristyn Nathan’s family say they want to encourage other whānau Māori to consider becoming organ donors. Photo / Kerry Nathan
Gee led several family hui to discuss organ donation, a decision the whānau described as “deeply significant”.
“Dad approached us like, ‘Listen, if my son is going to go out, I want him to go out doing some kind of good’,” Kerry said.
The decision was not taken lightly. Traditional te ao Māori beliefs teach that the body is tapu (sacred) and that removing organs can disturb a person’s wairua (spirit).
However, Gee reasoned that if the situation were reversed, “we’d be praying for someone to give Tristyn that organ”.
He also believed Māori and Pasifika people were among the most in need.
The family later learned Tristyn’s heart, kidneys and liver were donated to seven recipients, including a 3-year-old child.
Tristyn Nathan died afer a motorcycle accident at only 18 years of age. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
“He would have been all for it,” Gee said, noting his son’s love for children.
“If those people ever wanted to meet us, we’d be more than happy,” he said.
“I would love to put my ear on their heart,” Kerry added.
The whānau hope sharing Tristyn’s story encourages Māori and Pasifika families to not “close down the conversation” around organ donation, saying it has the power to save lives.
“Knowing our brother is out there making a difference is a heartwarming feeling that we are proud to stand by,” Kerry said.
“We lost a life, but he saved many and helped prevent other whānau being in our predicament.”