Porirua deputy mayor Kylie Wihapi dies following a fall

Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi has died unexpectedly. Mayor Anita Baker announced the death on Saturday, expressing shock and disbelief at the sudden loss. One report states Wihapi died on Saturday morning following a fall.

Wihapi made history as Porirua's first elected Māori ward councillor. She was appointed deputy mayor in 2022. She originally joined the council in 2016.

Tributes have been paid by various leaders, including Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Labour MP Barbara Edmonds. Edmonds noted Wihapi was involved in many community activities, such as refereeing netball and hosting an annual Pink Breakfast for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Mayor Baker extended sympathies to Wihapi's family, including her husband Adam, son Cooper, step-son Arama, and parents Marlene and Rob. Other local officials, including Wellington Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty and Porirua Councillor Nathan Waddle, also expressed their devastation.

How it developed

• Sat 31 Oct, 7:30pmThis report specifies that Wihapi died as a result of a fall on Saturday morning.

Where reports differ

• While most reports do not state the cause of death, one report claims Wihapi died following a fall.

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff, The Post and 1News.