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Tristan Eruera Oakes, known as Eru, 29, was farewelled by his wh\u0101nau and friends last week following his death in Tauranga Hospital on October 26. He had been found with a gunshot wound at his Te Puke home the previous day. In her own words, Eru\u2019s mother Sonya Oakes\u00a0shares insights into his life, the many lives he touched and the legacy he leaves behind.<\/p>\n
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Eru was more than a son \u2013 he was the light of our lives.<\/p>\n
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A loyal brother, a devoted partner, a loving father, and a soul full of heart, depth, and purpose.<\/p>\n
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His life was filled with the things he loved most: his wh\u0101nau, the whenua, and the simple but meaningful work of building a future close to home.<\/p>\n
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Eru was born one half of a twin, and that bond was unbreakable.<\/p>\n
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He and his twin were two halves of the same heartbeat \u2013 connected in spirit, humour, love, and loyalty.<\/p>\n
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Alongside his three other brothers, they shared adventures, laughter and the kind of brotherhood that runs deep in the blood.<\/p>\n
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Eru was happiest outdoors \u2013 hunting, exploring, being in nature and providing for those he loved.<\/p>\n
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Tristan “Eru” Oakes, (left) and his twin brother Wharehuia. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
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He had a deep respect for the land, for the skills passed down through generations, and for the traditions that rooted him in who he was.<\/p>\n
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His love for hunting wasn\u2019t just about the sport \u2013 it was about connection. To the land, his t\u016bpuna (ancestors), and his family.<\/p>\n
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He also loved working on projects \u2013 building, fixing, creating \u2013 especially when it came to helping others. One of his greatest joys was working on his koro\u2019s house. Every nail, every board, every moment spent working was soaked in love, respect, and purpose.<\/p>\n
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It wasn\u2019t just a project \u2013 it was a legacy, a way of honouring those who raised him.<\/p>\n
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Tristan “Eru” Oakes, 29, was happiest outdoors, his grieving mother Sonya Grace writes. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
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Eru loved deeply. To his partner, he was a safe place. To his two babies, he was the world. Their smiles were his happiness.<\/p>\n
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He was a playful, gentle, and protective dad who made sure his little ones always felt seen and loved.<\/p>\n
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He didn\u2019t just show up for his family \u2013 he showed up for his community.<\/p>\n
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Whether lending a hand, sharing kai, or offering a laugh when someone needed it most, Eru had a way of making others feel grounded and valued.<\/p>\n
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Tristan Oakes was fatally shot in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, on October 25. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
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Though his life was tragically cut short, the imprint he leaves behind will last forever.<\/p>\n
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In every shared memory, every project he started, every place he hunted, and every growth milestone his babies reached \u2013 his presence remains.<\/p>\n
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Eru was loved. He is loved. And he will always be remembered not by how he left this world, but by how he lived in it: with purpose, heart, and deep connection to his family, his culture, and his whenua.<\/p>\n
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Love you, our Boy xox<\/p>\n
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\u2013 Sonya Oakes<\/p>\n
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\n\tTwo men have been charged with Tristan Oakes\u2019 murder, and are due to appear in the High Court at Tauranga this month.
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