One of the women who died in a catastrophic head-on crash near Taupō is being remembered as a smiling, cheerful person, who had only just achieved her dream of becoming a preacher.
Pesi Tuivai, a mother of four, was killed in the crash on Tuesday evening, which claimed three other lives. Her three-year-old daughter was also injured in the crash.
Only on Saturday, Pesi became an officially sanctioned preacher for the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
"Everyone's saying that her first sermon is up there in heaven," family friend Ana Tuivai told Newshub on Wednesday.
"It's still unreal... The boys are struggling, we're all struggling.
"The family is all getting together and just giving each other support, I think that's where we draw our strength from."
Their church pastor was the one to break the sad news, asking everyone to pray. Ana said no one wanted to believe it.
"We were hoping that when we got here, it wasn't her. We hoped they had it mixed up and she's alive somewhere," she said.
Pesi was coming home to Palmerston North from Auckland when the crash happened.
"I don't think anyone had the courage to tell [her sons]," Ana said.
"Everyone says that they'll miss her smile, her dedication to her boys. Her eldest is 19 and everyone's just heartbroken looking at him, because he was so very close to his mother."
Pesi's youngest son is 11 and Ana said Pesi always took him to his rugby training and matches.
"She's always been there for him. That will hit him, when the rugby season starts up next year."
Pesi's parents are now making their way to New Zealand for their daughter's funeral, while her family are praying that the other relatives injured in the crash will be able to make it to the funeral to say goodbye.
As well as Pesi, a 60-year-old man, a 56-year-old woman and a five-year-old boy died, all in the other van. The fourth passenger, a 10-month-old baby, is fighting for his life.
Police are investigating the crash to find out just how it all went so horribly wrong. But for Pesi's family, no investigation will bring her back.
Newshub.
