Shaun Hattrill (21) and Nicola Henare (19) were killed in the single-vehicle crash south of Mataura on State Highway 1.
The crash, shortly after 5pm on Sunday, left two others injured — one seriously, and one moderately.
New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation president Andy Mills, who coached Ms Henare from a young age, said her death was a huge loss to the ice hockey community.
‘‘[She was] smiley, bubbly, kind ... and a role model. She was a role model to a lot of the younger players.’’
Mr Mills said Ms Henare had recently started coaching and officiating at matches.
He had coached her when she played for Southern teams.
‘‘She was a real personality. We are deeply sad for all her family. She had her whole life ahead of her ... It is just a very sad situation.’’
Tributes were also paid to her partner.
Pukerau Rugby Club coach Peter Muir, who had coached Mr Hattrill, described him as a ‘‘very committed player’’ who took the sport ‘‘right to the limits of the law’’.
‘‘His heart was always in the right spot for rugby. He loved the game, loved his fellow players. He was very protective of the younger guys on the team.’’
He said Mr Hattrill really looked after his son who had started playing a few years ago.
-Additionally reported by Abbey Palmer
‘‘Shaun was sort of a guardian of him, my son was very sad to hear it [the news].’’
Mr Muir described him as a ‘‘down-to-earth Kiwi boy’’ who lived life to the fullest.
Mr Hattrill had also worked for his shearing company.
‘‘He was a good worker and never moaned about work or when things didn’t go to plan, he just got on with it.’’
Outside of sport and work, Mr Hattrill was incredibly close with his partner.
‘‘He was really, really loyal to his partner Nicole. They were thick as thieves. If you saw one, you saw the other. They weren’t ever too far apart.’’
Mr Muir said the rugby club would really miss him.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
On Monday, a police spokesman confirmed the pair had been seated in the back of the car.
The driver was seriously injured and flown to Dunedin Hospital, the spokesman said.
The front-seat passenger had moderate injuries and was taken to Southland Hospital by ambulance.
As part of inquiries, police said they were speaking to the driver of a second car, a red Subaru Impreza station wagon.
Although the car was not directly involved in the crash, initial indications suggested it could be linked, police said.
‘‘Police would like to hear from anyone who saw this car — and the car that crashed — a dark blue Holden Commodore — in the time leading up to the crash.
‘‘The cars are believed to have travelled south through Mataura and Gore prior to the crash.’’
