Police in western Bay of Plenty have named two men killed in a high-speed crash as officers were about to call off a pursuit for a second time.
Michael Keepa, 25, and Harley Wilson, aged 21, were travelling in a Toyota Hilux ute stolen from their home town of Levin on Wednesday.
They fled from police after being caught speeding in Mt Maunganui early on Friday.
The chase was abandoned on safety grounds, but resumed a short while later in Papamoa.
The second pursuit was in the process of being abandoned when the ute veered off State Highway 2 on the edge of Te Puke township and hit a tree.
Police are appealing for witnesses.
