“Porirua is going to miss her and I’m so proud that she is my wife. She is a fantastic mother to Arama and Cooper, and the perfect wife.”
Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi is being farewelled in Porirua today. Photo / Screengrab from funeral livestream
Wihapi’s sunflower-topped coffin was carried into the service to the sound of Turn the Page by her favourite band, Metallica, and a traditional Māori welcome. The coffin arrived after her tangihanga at Horouta Marae, which began on Thursday.
The married mum suffered a fatal fall in a freak accident at home early last Saturday morning, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker earlier told the Herald.
The deputy mayor’s mum Marlene also spoke at today’s service, describing her daughter’s death as leaving “a massive hole in my life and an empty space in my heart”.
“No parent should lose a child … but it’s happened, and she’ll be flicking me in the back of the ear and saying, ‘Mum, get on with it’.”
Kylie Wihapi died suddenly aged 45 last Saturday. Photo / Screengrab from funeral livestream
She’d been amazed at the scope and depth of her daughter’s relationships and connections, and the stories people had shared.
“Please keep them coming. I’ve lost my baby girl.”
Her daughter was born “bright-eyed and present, and look[ing] like she’d always been in this world, and that she had a lot of work to do.”
She’d loved family, community and animals, and her parents were grateful for the support their son-in-law gave Wihapi.
“Right from the beginning and right through her whole public life. She knew that she had a safe place to land and a person that she trusted.”
‘She was perfect’
Wihapi’s father Rob remembered his daughter’s arrival only a few minutes after he and her mum arrived at Kenepuru Hospital, with the doctor running late and only the couple and their midwife present.
“We delivered her. She was perfect.”
As she grew up, their daughter realised her younger brother – diagnosed with early infantile autism – was different from other kids.
“She became his second mum, with compassion and understanding way beyond her years. She fiercely protected him from the bullies and the ignorant, facing up to people twice her size and dressing them down.
“This was the beginning of her empathy for the less fortunate and the underprivileged of her community and the world.”
Reverend Pania Houkamau-Ngaheu leading the funeral for Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi, who died suddenly after a fall aged 45 last Saturday. Photo / Screengrab from funeral livestream
Earlier, Reverend Pania Houkamau-Ngaheu began the service by telling mourners to speak kindly to each other.
“Turn to each person … tell them how gorgeous they look … touch them on the shoulder. That’s what we want to see here today … to hear today. Love and laughter, some tears, caring and giving.
“The qualities of Kylie. The personality of Kylie.”
Messages of “absolute aroha” had come from around the country.
“She was just a super being, a super daughter, super granddaughter, super sister, super cousin, and yes she was the best wife to a loving and devoted husband, and their son and their fur-babies.”
Those gathered included Wihapi’s “fur-baby”, Houkamau-Ngaheu said.
“He’s down over here with his blankie, and he will be feeling it too. Her absence, just as we all are.”
The funeral for Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi is taking place today after her sudden death last Saturday.
Wellington Free Ambulance confirmed it was called to Wihapi’s address about 8.30am last Saturday at the request of police but were stood down before attending.
Wihapi made history as the first person elected in Porirua’s Māori ward and was deputy mayor for the past four years.
She brought “wisdom, courage, compassion and an unmistakable energy to everything she did” and said she had lost a trusted adviser and friend, Baker said.
Wihapi’s love for her whānau was at the centre of everything she did.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker (left) and Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi.
Wihapi’s husband Adam posted a heartfelt tribute following the sudden loss of his “soulmate”.
“Today is the hardest day of my life. I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate, my everything, my wife.
“I loved Kylie with everything and she back to me. She was amazing with Cooper, just the best mother I could have hoped for.
“I`m going to miss you, my darling, you leave a void in mine and Cooper’s heart. I love you so much.”
Civic leaders, workmates and community groups from across the region have been united in disbelief at Wihapi’s shock death.
Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi died in a fall at home last weekend. Photo / Porirua City Council
Wihapi’s son attended Paremata School and she was on the board of trustees for six years. They said it was a privilege to have Wihapi as part of the school whānau.
Other schools from across the city extended their condolences, with Mana College saying, “her positive energy and commitment to our kura and that of Porirua will always be remembered”.
Whitby Collegiate shared memories of Wihapi on the netball court and said she always brought “wonderful energy and enthusiasm” to school events.
“Kylie was a much-loved supporter of our school and a passionate champion of our rangatahi.”
The Kapi Mana Netball Centre said she was an integral part of the local netball community.
“She wasn’t just a valued umpire, but also a great coach of more than one team with Aotea College and Norths Netball, an advocate for our younger athletes, strong community advocate and a friend to many.”
The Paremata Plimmerton Rugby Football Club, where Wihapi’s son played, said their hearts were broken for her family.
Councillor Geoff Hayward has been appointed Porirua’s new deputy mayor, with the blessing of the Wihapi whānau.
“I know this feels like indecent haste; it certainly does to me,” Baker said at a meeting on Thursday, before explaining the move was necessary to continue the council’s representation on external bodies and its existing functions.
Hayward told Local Democracy Reporting he was honoured to serve as deputy mayor and would be thinking about Wihapi a lot.
“I can only think of myself as a custodian because Kylie should be doing this job, and I’m sad that she’s not here to be able to do it.”
Traffic management is in place for this morning’s service and Porirua City Council is advising those attending to be aware of pressure in the Arena carpark.
“Please remember that all street parking is free on weekends, as well as the council parking lots on Hagley St. Parking at the railway station and walking to the Arena is another good option.”
Wihapi’s shock death came just months after fellow councillor Mike Duncan died suddenly in June after a daily workout.