Friends of the Rotorua woman killed during the first storm of 2018 have posted messages of condolence, saying she had a "loving heart and welcoming arms".
Reports say Trish Butterworth was the woman killed on Friday when a tree collapsed on a vehicle during high winds.
The tree, located at the intersection of Arawa and Amohia St, Rotorua, cracked at the base before falling on its side crushing a building and a car.
The occupants of the building were uninjured.
A friend of Ms Butterworth posted to the Rotorua Elim Church Facebook group to announce the sad news, saying Ms Butterworth had been "taken into the hands of the lord".
"Trish stands out because she has such a loving heart and welcoming arms," the friend wrote.
"Her faith in our Jesus radiated from her words of wisdom and close connection to the Holy Spirit.
"She will be so missed by so many."
Newshub.
