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Tristan Eruera Oakes, known as Eru, 29, was farewelled by his whānau 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’s mother Sonya Oakes shares insights into his life, the many lives he touched and the legacy he leaves behind. 

Eru was more than a son – he was the light of our lives. 

A loyal brother, a devoted partner, a loving father, and a soul full of heart, depth, and purpose. 

His life was filled with the things he loved most: his whānau, the whenua, and the simple but meaningful work of building a future close to home. 

Eru was born one half of a twin, and that bond was unbreakable. 

He and his twin were two halves of the same heartbeat – connected in spirit, humour, love, and loyalty. 

Alongside his three other brothers, they shared adventures, laughter and the kind of brotherhood that runs deep in the blood. 

Eru was happiest outdoors – hunting, exploring, being in nature and providing for those he loved. 

Tristan "Eru" Oakes, (left) and his twin brother Wharehuia. Photo / Supplied 

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. 

His love for hunting wasn’t just about the sport – it was about connection. To the land, his tūpuna (ancestors), and his family. 

He also loved working on projects – building, fixing, creating – especially when it came to helping others. One of his greatest joys was working on his koro’s house. Every nail, every board, every moment spent working was soaked in love, respect, and purpose. 

It wasn’t just a project – it was a legacy, a way of honouring those who raised him. 

Tristan "Eru" Oakes, 29, was happiest outdoors, his grieving mother Sonya Grace writes. Photo / Supplied 

Eru loved deeply. To his partner, he was a safe place. To his two babies, he was the world. Their smiles were his happiness. 

He was a playful, gentle, and protective dad who made sure his little ones always felt seen and loved. 

He didn’t just show up for his family – he showed up for his community. 

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. 

Tristan Oakes was fatally shot in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, on October 25. Photo / Supplied 

Though his life was tragically cut short, the imprint he leaves behind will last forever. 

In every shared memory, every project he started, every place he hunted, and every growth milestone his babies reached – his presence remains. 

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. 

Love you, our Boy xox 

– Sonya Oakes 

Two men have been charged with Tristan Oakes’ murder, and are due to appear in the High Court at Tauranga this month. 

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.