Funeral to be held on Saturday for Upper Hutt woman Lois Rita Tolley

Lois Rita Tolley was found dead on Friday night at her Upper Hutt home. Photo/supplied

Members of slain Upper Hutt woman Lois Rita Tolley's family were meant to be gathering for Christmas celebrations, but instead they will be gathering for a funeral.

Tolley was found dead in her Ward St home on Friday night, and police are looking for a group of four young men seen running from the address, as well as a knife and a firearm believed to be involved in her death.

The 30-year-old was caring, kind and proud to be her mother's daughter, mum Cathrine Tolley told the Herald.

Tolley was not just a victim, but a loving person who affected the lives of many people, her mother said.

Cathrine Tolley said she wanted her daughter to be remembered for her kindness and the way she looked out for others.

"She was a very caring person who loved life. She was the life of the party. When you were down, she made you happy.

"She would buy food for someone when they didn't have it, even when she didn't have much herself. She would take her shirt off her back for you if she could."

Tolley grew up in Upper Hutt. She was from a large but close-knit family which was "devastated" by her death.

"She was my baby," Cathrine Tolley said.

"She didn't deserve to go like that. They've taken someone good from the world.

"No words can explain what these people have done to her."

Tolley had worked hard to lose more than 100kg in the past few years.

She loved her job working as a chef for a Wellington catering company and had hoped to get married and have children.

"She was very determined. If she put her mind to something, she would never waiver.

"She loved all her friend's kids and she treated her two cats like children."

Cathrine Tolley, who lives in Australia, had been planning to return to Upper Hutt for Christmas.

"She was so excited for us to come over. Now she's gone, just like that.

"I just want my baby back."

The family will be holding Tolley's funeral on Saturday.

Investigation lead Detective Senior Sergeant Warwick McKee said four men were seen jogging south along Wilford St towards Ward St just before the incident.

One of the men was carrying a long, rectangular object.

One of the men was described as looking particularly distressed after the incident.

"They are described as all about 182cm tall and wearing dark clothing with hooded tops."

McKee said Tolley's death was not a random attack.

One of Tolley's neighbours said a group of young men aggressively banged on his door just hours before she was killed.

The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said a group of men knocked "violently" on his door between 10pm and 11pm on Friday.

He said he could see at least two young men through the glass who appeared to be looking for a woman.

"They were asking for someone. I don't know whether they were saying her name [Tolley] or just if some chick lived here."

Anyone with information can contact the Operation Archer team at the Upper Hutt Police Station by ringing (04) 381-2000 or Crime Stoppers on 0800-555-111.