He was 19-year-old Ravineel Avikash Sharma, of Alexandra.
Mr Sharma was the front seat passenger in a Nissan car which crashed into a tree on Coates Rd, near the airport, around midnight.
The driver, a 19-year-old Ranfurly man, remains in a critical condition in Dunedin Hospital, while a 19-year-old rear passenger received minor injuries and is recovering at home.
An investigation into the crash is continuing, with examinations of the vehicle and scene, and interviews with witnesses under way.
Police said members of the public had come forward with information, and they now had a clear picture of what occurred.
Speed and alcohol were significant factors, they say.
“This was a completely preventable crash, which has claimed the life of a young man” Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, of Alexandra, said.
“We have a local family grieving the loss of their son and brother, and our community feeling the loss of one of our local boys from a well-known family” he said.
“The safety messages in our communities are very clear about the risks when alcohol, speed and young drivers are combined.” he said. “We can only hope that this tragedy helps reinforce the message about the need to keep ourselves our friends and our whanau safe.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on (03) 440 25000 extn 34400.
