They were sharing ota ika, a traditional Tongan marinated raw-fish dish, one of the dishes the men ate on their half-hour break from work.
They were good friends, and always sat together, outside, even in the middle of winter.
They joked and enjoyed each other's company. Their native Tongan language used to ring through the Aongatete Coolstore near Katikati.
It was 5pm.
Three hours later they were dead.
