\u201cPorirua is going to miss her and I\u2019m so proud that she is my wife. She is a fantastic mother to Arama and Cooper, and the perfect wife.\u201d<\/p>\n
Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi is being farewelled in Porirua today. Photo \/ Screengrab from funeral livestream<\/p>\n
Wihapi\u2019s sunflower-topped coffin was carried into the service to the sound of Turn the Page by her favourite band, Metallica, and a traditional M\u0101ori welcome. The coffin arrived after her tangihanga at Horouta Marae, which began on Thursday.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The deputy mayor\u2019s mum Marlene also spoke at today\u2019s service, describing her daughter\u2019s death as leaving \u201ca massive hole in my life and an empty space in my heart\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo parent should lose a child … but it\u2019s happened, and she\u2019ll be flicking me in the back of the ear and saying, \u2018Mum, get on with it\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kylie Wihapi died suddenly aged 45 last Saturday. Photo \/ Screengrab from funeral livestream<\/p>\n
She\u2019d been amazed at the scope and depth of her daughter\u2019s relationships and connections, and the stories people had shared.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease keep them coming. I\u2019ve lost my baby girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her daughter was born \u201cbright-eyed and present, and look[ing] like she\u2019d always been in this world, and that she had a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u2019d loved family, community and animals, and her parents were grateful for the support their son-in-law gave Wihapi.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u2018She was perfect\u2019<\/p>\n
Wihapi\u2019s father Rob remembered his daughter\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe delivered her. She was perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she grew up, their daughter realised her younger brother \u2013 diagnosed with early infantile autism \u2013 was different from other kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the beginning of her empathy for the less fortunate and the underprivileged of her community and the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Earlier, Reverend Pania Houkamau-Ngaheu began the service by telling mourners to speak kindly to each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn to each person … tell them how gorgeous they look … touch them on the shoulder. That\u2019s what we want to see here today … to hear today. Love and laughter, some tears, caring and giving. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe qualities of Kylie. The personality of Kylie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Messages of \u201cabsolute aroha\u201d had come from around the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those gathered included Wihapi\u2019s \u201cfur-baby\u201d, Houkamau-Ngaheu said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s down over here with his blankie, and he will be feeling it too. Her absence, just as we all are.\u201d <\/p>\n
The funeral for Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi is taking place today after her sudden death last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Wellington Free Ambulance confirmed it was called to Wihapi\u2019s address about 8.30am last Saturday at the request of police but were stood down before attending.<\/p>\n
Wihapi made history as the first person elected in Porirua\u2019s M\u0101ori ward and was deputy mayor for the past four years.<\/p>\n
She brought \u201cwisdom, courage, compassion and an unmistakable energy to everything she did\u201d and said she had lost a trusted adviser and friend, Baker said.<\/p>\n
Wihapi\u2019s love for her wh\u0101nau was at the centre of everything she did.<\/p>\n
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker (left) and Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi.<\/p>\n
Wihapi\u2019s husband Adam posted a heartfelt tribute following the sudden loss of his \u201csoulmate\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday is the hardest day of my life. I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate, my everything, my wife.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved Kylie with everything and she back to me. She was amazing with Cooper, just the best mother I could have hoped for.<\/p>\n
\u201cI`m going to miss you, my darling, you leave a void in mine and Cooper\u2019s heart. I love you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Civic leaders, workmates and community groups from across the region have been united in disbelief at Wihapi\u2019s shock death. <\/p>\n
Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi died in a fall at home last weekend. Photo \/ Porirua City Council<\/p>\n
Wihapi\u2019s 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 wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n
Other schools from across the city extended their condolences, with Mana College saying, \u201cher positive energy and commitment to our kura and that of Porirua will always be remembered\u201d.<\/p>\n
Whitby Collegiate shared memories of Wihapi on the netball court and said she always brought \u201cwonderful energy and enthusiasm\u201d to school events. <\/p>\n
\u201cKylie was a much-loved supporter of our school and a passionate champion of our rangatahi.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Kapi Mana Netball Centre said she was an integral part of the local netball community. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe wasn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Paremata Plimmerton Rugby Football Club, where Wihapi\u2019s son played, said their hearts were broken for her family.<\/p>\n