Latest news with #Whitiora
RNZ News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Grandma grieves loss of talented jockey Ngakau Hailey who died in a vehicle collision
Ngakau Hailey who had established a promising career as a jockey before he was killed when his dirt bike and a car collided this week. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Ngakau Hailey's grandmother says she wants him to be remembered as a young man who loved his whānau, loved life, and put his whole heart and soul into whatever he did. The teen jockey is due to be laid to rest on Monday as the racing community continues to absorb the shock of his death. Hailey, 18, died after his dirt bike collided with a car at the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street in Whitiora about 3.25pm on Wednesday. Hailey suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital, where he later died. His grandmother, Linda Gough, said Hailey brought joy and happiness everywhere he went. "Our hearts have been shattered at losing our beautiful grandson Ngakau Sonny-Bill Hailey. He loved his whānau, and we all loved him. We will always miss you boy," she said. Ngakau Bailey as a youngster. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) said the news has brought great sadness to all corners of the industry. "Ngakau had a bright future ahead of him, and his passing is a heartbreaking loss," said NZTR's head of licensing & registrations, Matthew Williamson. Hailey was said to be a natural in the saddle, a gifted rider who had already achieved 46 career wins in just over two years, including 18 this season alone. "On behalf of everyone at NZTR and across the wider industry, we extend our deepest condolences to Ngakau's family, friends, and the many people who knew and rode alongside him. We will ensure support is available to those who need it," said Williamson. NZTR said support is being offered to fellow riders and other industry participants through NZTR's OnTrack support services, the industry's wellness programme. Hailey was jockey on Billy Lincoln, a four-year-old colt owned by Lincoln Farms. Photo: Supplied / Lincoln Farms' boss John Street said losing Hailey at such a young age was a terrible blow. Street said Hailey's dream to become a NRL player was foiled because he never grew but when he tried trackwork riding Hailey said he fell in love. On its website, Waikato Junior Rugby League said Hailey had been a talented young league player and a young boy who loved giving anything and everything a go. Hailey's coffin has been taken to his home until his funeral. A Givealittle page set up by fellow jockey Wiremu Pinn has also been set up to help Hailey's family pay for the funeral, with more than $22,500 donated by Friday morning.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
‘Star in the making' jockey dies aged 18 in motorbike crash as two others rushed to hospital
A TEENAGE jockey has tragically died in a horrific dirtbike accident in New Zealand. Ngakau Hailey, 18, was killed in a collision with a car in Hamilton on Wednesday. 2 2 Hailey was rushed to hospital with critical injuries following the clash, which happened at around 3.25pm local time on the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street in Whitiora. However, he later died of his injuries in hospital. Two more young people who were in the car were also taken to hospital with moderate injuries, according to local reports. Hailey had ridden Billy Lincoln to victory at Pukekohe in April 2024. Hailey's employer, Debbie Sweeney, told that the promising jockey would be a "massive" loss to the racing community. David Ellis of Te Akau Racing described him as a "super young man" to the publication. He added: "The sky was ahead of him." A Givealittle page dedicated to Hailey to support his family had reached just shy of $20,000 in donations from 240 generous donors on Thursday morning. The page reads: "A naturally gifted young man with a bright future taken away from us so soon. "These funds will go to his family to provide the service for his funeral, please spare what you can to help."
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Young jockey Ngakau Hailey killed in dirtbike crash in Hamilton
Ngakau Hailey, 18, was killed in Whitiora on Wednesday. Photo: Givealittle A young jockey has been named as the victim of a serious dirtbike crash in Hamilton. Ngakau Hailey, 18, died after he collided with a car at the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street in Whitiora about 3.25pm. Hailey was taken to hospital with critical injuries, where he later died. Two young people inside the car were also taken to hospital with moderate injuries. Lincoln Farms' boss John Street paid tribute to Hailey, and recalled the first time meeting him when he rode their horse Billy Lincoln to victory at Pukekohe. "It was a great ride and I actually met his mother after the race. She had all the family there from Gisborne," he said on the company's website. "When Lynne and I left the course we saw her with all the kids in a van and went over to say hello. I gave her $200 so they could all have KFC for lunch and she was over the moon." A Givealittle page has also been set up to help Hailey's family pay for the funeral, with over $12,000 donated as of midday Thursday. "A naturally gifted young man with a bright future taken away from us so soon," the page said. Lincoln Farms said jockeys are expected to hold a special commemoration for Hailey at Thursday's race meeting in Cambridge. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- RNZ News
Dirtbike rider dies after crash with car in Hamilton
Emergency services were called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER A person has died after a serious crash in the Hamilton suburb of Whitiora on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to the scene at the intersection of Willoughby and Mill Street at about 3.25pm. They were responding to reports of a crash between a car and a dirtbike. Police say the dirtbike rider suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital, where they later died. Two young people inside the car were also taken to hospital with moderate injuries. Police said the road was closed following the crash and they were investigating. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Serious crash closes major Hamilton intersection
The major intersection of Willoughby and Mill streets in Whitiora, Hamilton where a serious crash has closed the road. Photo: Googlemaps Police say a major intersection on the edge of the Hamilton central business district is closed after a crash on Wednesday afternoon. A police spokesperson said the intersection of Willoughby and Mill street was closed following the serious crash in Whitiora. They said emergency services received reports of a two-vehicle crash at about 3.30pm. "Motorists are asked to avoid the area. Updates will be provided proactively." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
