A memorial is being held today to remember Minke, with a bench seat dedicated to her memory to be unveiled at Te Kauwhata College, and a balloon release before a church service. Those attending have been asked to wear Minke\u2019s favourite colours, red and pink. <\/p>\n
The coroner\u2019s office confirmed the death was being investigated as a suspected suicide.<\/p>\n
Peddie told the Herald her daughter was a protective, loving girl who \u201cstood up for everyone but herself\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe would rather give than have. She hated seeing people upset. She was such a good girl. She was only 14 years old, just a child,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to bring more light to bullying. Things are already hard enough for kids. If just one child can be saved from this, that would be something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minke Peddie at a young age with her mum, Tamaryn Peddie. Photo \/ Tamaryn Peddie<\/p>\n
Peddie claimed that in the weeks leading up to Minke\u2019s death, her daughter was bullied, which resulted in self-harm.<\/p>\n
She said her daughter was targeted four years ago when she was subjected to harmful online messages, physically hurt and mocked during school hours and taunted outside their home.<\/p>\n
In one instance, classmates taped a photo of a whale to Minke\u2019s desk after weight gain attributed to medical issues.<\/p>\n
The Te Kauwhata College student\u2019s mental health declined two months ago. She was prescribed anxiety medication and attended school counselling.<\/p>\n
Peddie said that three weeks later, her daughter allegedly attempted to take her own life.<\/p>\n
Minke was taken to Waikato Hospital before being transferred to Starship hospital in Auckland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worst part that I feel sick about is that I found out later she was on FaceTime with a girl who was telling her how and when to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peddie told the Herald one of Minke\u2019s friends and her mother visited a police station to report the bullying and threats a week before Minke\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Police confirmed they had responded to a report of bullying at a Waikato school.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice have received a report of allegations and threats to a person on Thursday 11 June,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Inquiries were ongoing.<\/p>\n
Minke Peddie was described as always happy and putting other people first. Photo \/ Tamaryn Peddie<\/p>\n
Te Kauwhata College principal Deborah Hohneck, while not addressing the specific bullying allegations against Minke, told the Herald the school took any anti-social behaviour seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents and families are encouraged to report concerns promptly so they can be addressed. This behaviour is not tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hohneck said the school held a remembrance in Minke\u2019s honour.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are wrapping support around Minke\u2019s family and friends. We remember Minke as a smiley student who loved pink, so we held a pink mufti day in her memory on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe well-being of all our students and teachers is paramount for us in this devastating time, so our focus is on assisting all those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
After four weeks off school, Minke was due to return to classes.<\/p>\n
A photo of Minke Peddie taken just five hours before she died. Photo \/ Tamaryn Peddie<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was supposed to start school on the Monday, and we had her friends stay over to support her and make her feel excited,\u201d said Peddie.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was out and working on getting better; each day was hard, but I felt she was happier.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the bullying resumed.<\/p>\n
\u201cFriday night I gave her her medication; she said she was tired and went to bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a strange feeling in my stomach, so a little while later I went to go switch her light off and she was gone from her room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peddie contacted police, along with Minke\u2019s friends and their parents, who began the late-night search to help find her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was 10.30 at night. At 5.30, just five hours earlier, she was smiling, and I took the most beautiful photo of her. I thought she was happy. I thought she was doing better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Childhood photo of Minke Peddie. Photo \/ Tamaryn Peddie<\/p>\n