Pātea school principal remembers six-year-old killed in boating accident
By Maisie Arnold-Brown
Six-year-old Zane loved school and cared deeply for his friends and teachers, according to his principal at Pātea Area School, James Davidson.
Photo:
Supplied/Pātea Area School
A six-year-old boy, who died in a boating accident in Pātea, is remembered as a "boy filled with aroha", according to his school principal.
Two people died after a
boat capsized off the coast of Taranaki
on Sunday.
Stuff has reported his stepmother also died, when the boat was swamped by a wave, and his father - the boat's skipper - was the sole survivor.
Pātea Area School principal James Davidson said Zane Milham loved school.
"Everyone who met Zane instantly fell in love with his cheeky grin and zest for life," Davidson said.
"He cared deeply for his friends and those around him," he said. "He showed genuine affection for his teachers and support staff, always offering a cheerful wave or a friendly greeting.
"His joy was truly infectious."
He said Zane never missed a day of school, rain or shine, and was always eager and excited to learn.
"On weekends and after school, he could often be seen riding his trike around the grounds, proudly knocking on windows to show off the skids he had been practising," Davidson said.
Investigators at the scene, as the a boat that capzized off the coast of South Taranaki is retrieved.
Photo:
RNZ / Robin Martin
He said the school community had been deeply affected by his death and Zane was already missed "immensely".
Staff and students had shown incredible resilience, as they rallied around one another, he said, sharing memories of Zane and honouring his life.
In a statement provided to Stuff on Thursday, a family member said: "It's with great sadness of the family that we are announcing the passing of our beloved son.
"Fly high our little friend, hunting and fishing forever."
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