By Kate Gregan and Newshub digital staff
A 21-year-old man arrested over the death of a teenage girl in Otorohanga is now facing a manslaughter charge.
The body of 17-year-old Ocean Heke, from Te Kuiti, was discovered on the side of State Highway 3 at 6.30am on Sunday.
A Te Kuiti man was originally charged with drink driving causing death, but that charge was upgraded to manslaughter ahead of his appearance in the Hamilton District Court today.
Meanwhile, Otorohanga and Te Kuiti locals are banding together to support Ms Heke's family.
Yesterday, the leaders of both communities paid their respects to Ms Heke at her home in Te Kuiti, surrounded by her family and friends.
Ms Heke's father, Clarry Heke, says he appreciates the support.
"The community, everybody, the whanau, they're giving their love and mana to us," says Mr Heke. "It picks me up."
Ms Heke's best friend, Filma Tapara says the death has left everyone in the small community "really devastated."
"We're just remembering her as the nice person she was."
"She always helped people and never had anything bad to say about people," says Mr Heke.
"She had a lot of love for everybody. A really beautiful person."
Otorohanga Mayor Max Baxter says it's important for the communities' leaders to pay respect to Ms Heke's family, and acknowledge how painful the situation is for them.
"Sharing of the aroha with Ocean's family, and being there for them to show that we do care," he says.
Mr Baxter hopes the community will learn from Ms Heke's death.
"Lives are precious," he says.
"A young person made a stupid mistake that has affected the community at large to a high level.
"For young people it's really taking responsibility for their own actions, and for parents it's to instil that story into their kids' mind -- that you can't drink and drive."
Ms Heke's tangi will be held tomorrow at Marakopa Marae.
Newshub.
