Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi is being remembered for the care and energy she brought to community life, from netball courts and school celebrations to fundraising for causes close to her heart.
Tributes from schools, colleagues and political leaders have followed her death on Saturday 31 October.
Labour MP Barbara Edmonds recalled Kylie’s involvement in coaching and refereeing netball, her annual Pink Breakfast supporting breast cancer fundraising and her Christmas pet-food drive. She also remembered Kylie supporting her son Cooper from the rugby sidelines.
“Kylie was everywhere and anywhere,” Barbara Edmonds said.
Kylie’s own Porirua Locality profile describes her work as Aotea College’s netball convener, coaching junior and senior teams and umpiring for Kapi Mana Netball. It also records her commitment to the harbour and opportunities for rangatahi.
Her support for young people was reflected in a tribute from Mana College, which recalled her attendance at its Senior Prizegiving on Thursday evening, where she presented a cup for leadership.
The school remembered her positive energy and commitment to its students and the wider Porirua community.
Colleagues at One Agency Select Realty, where Kylie worked, also paid tribute, remembering her as a valued colleague and friend. Porirua Fire Brigade expressed its condolences to her family.
Fellow councillor Geoff Hayward recalled Kylie’s determination to improve neighbourhood safety and animal welfare, including efforts to address puppy farming and concerns about dogs being euthanised because their owners could not afford accumulated fines.
He also remembered her humour and their shared commitment to getting things done for Porirua.
Councillor Ross Leggett, who was elected alongside Kylie in 2016, praised the warmth, humour and hard work she brought to the council.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer remembered Kylie’s pride in Porirua, while Wellington Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty described her as warm, welcoming and passionate about the city. Former Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry also expressed his sympathy for her family and the wider community.
Mayor Anita Baker said Kylie had made history as Porirua’s first elected Māori ward councillor and had brought wisdom, courage and compassion to her work.
“I have lost a trusted adviser and friend,” Mayor Baker said.
The Mayor’s thoughts were with Kylie’s husband Adam, son Cooper, stepson Arama, parents Marlene and Rob, and wider whānau.
Mayor Baker concluded “Kylie was Porirua through and through. She loved this city, believed in its people and worked tirelessly to make it a better place.”
