TE PUKE, New Zealand — A quiet Bay of Plenty community has been left shaken after the tragic death of 29-year-old Tristan Oakes, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Saturday, October 25, 2025, following a shooting at his home in Te Puke earlier in the week. Police have since launched a full homicide investigation and are urgently seeking two men identified as persons of interest — 39-year-old Kanan Clarke and 40-year-old Joseph Yorke.
According to New Zealand Police, officers were called to a residential property in Te Puke shortly after 10:00 p.m. on the night of the shooting, following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found Oakes critically injured with gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Tauranga Hospital, where medical staff fought to save his life. Despite their best efforts, he passed away two days later as a result of his injuries.
Detective Inspector Scott Anderson, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that authorities are now treating the case as a homicide. He said police are pursuing multiple leads to locate Clarke and Yorke, who are both believed to have ties to the wider Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions.
“We have identified two individuals, Kanan Clarke and Joseph Yorke, as persons of interest in this case,” Inspector Anderson said. “They are considered dangerous and should not be approached. We urge anyone who sees them or knows their whereabouts to contact police immediately.”
Residents in Te Puke have expressed deep concern and sadness over the violence that claimed Oakes’s life, describing him as a friendly, hardworking young man with a bright future ahead of him. Friends say he was deeply loved by his family and well-liked by neighbors who are now struggling to come to terms with his death.
“Tristan was one of the good ones,” said a close friend. “He was always smiling, always willing to help. It’s hard to believe something this terrible could happen to him — especially here, in our small town.”
Police have established a large investigation team dedicated to the case, including forensic specialists, detectives, and community officers. They have been conducting door-to-door inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding areas in hopes of tracing the suspects’ movements before and after the shooting.
Authorities have also urged the public to remain vigilant, stressing that both Clarke and Yorke are armed and dangerous. Roadblocks and police patrols have been increased across the region as part of an ongoing manhunt.
“We are working tirelessly to locate and arrest those responsible for this senseless act of violence,” Inspector Anderson added. “Our thoughts are with Tristan’s family as they face this unimaginable loss.”
Oakes’s family released a brief statement through police, expressing their devastation and calling for privacy as they grieve. They described Tristan as a “kind, loving, and genuine soul” whose life was taken far too soon.
The Te Puke community has rallied around the family, with friends and neighbors placing flowers and candles near the entrance of his home. A candlelight vigil is being planned for later this week to honor his memory and call for peace in the community.
As the homicide investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of Kanan Clarke or Joseph Yorke to contact 111 immediately or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers (0800 555 111).
The death of Tristan Oakes has left Te Puke grieving — a painful reminder of how quickly violence can shatter lives in even the most peaceful of places.
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