Former Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi to be farewelled after sudden death

Porirua's Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi's tangihanga and funeral service begins this week, after her sudden death over the weekend.

She died at 45 years old after a fall at her home on Saturday morning. Porirua Mayor Anita Baker announced that Wihapi would remain with her family until Thursday morning, when she would be transported to Horouta Marae in Papakōwhai.

In a statement released on Monday, Baker said it was the hardest thing she'd ever had to write.

"Losing someone in the prime of their life, with so much still to give and experience, is never easy. The suddenness of Kylie's passing, at just 45, makes it even harder to bear."

Visitors will be welcomed onto the marae at 9am, 12pm and 3pm on Thursday and Friday. Evening services and a poroporoaki will be held at 7pm on Thursday and Friday evenings. The funeral service is to be held at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua at 9am on Saturday, with doors opening at 8am.

The Porirua City Council had provided two books of condolence for the public to sign at Pātaka Art + Museum on Parumoana Street, and at the council administration building in Cobham Court, from Tuesday. The books will also be available to sign at the funeral.

Wihapi, also a mother and wife, was deputy mayor for four years, having served on the council since 2016.

Baker said, "For me, Kylie was a friend, a trusted colleague and someone whose advice I valued enormously."

Wihapi made history in 2022 as the city's first elected Māori ward councillor. Baker said Wihapi was passionate about animal welfare, netball and serving the Paremata School Board of Trustees.

"She gave generously of her time and herself, often without any fuss or expectation of recognition."