Jo Pert is being farewelled by family and friends today. Photo / Supplied
Auckland woman Joanne Pert, who was killed last week in the Auckland suburb of Remuera, has been farewelled today.
Earlier, mourners began arriving for the funeral in the quaint central North Island town of Raetihi.
Close to 100 people have already arrived at The Centre, just off the town's main street, for the 41-year-old's 1pm funeral.
Most of those arriving are dressed in black, with dark sunglasses.
The 41-year-old was killed while out jogging in the upmarket Auckland suburb of Remuera on January 7.
A 24-year-old man who is not believed to have known Ms Pert has been charged with her murder. He has name suppression until his next appearance in the High Court at the end of this month.
Ms Pert grew up in Whanganui and lived in Taupo before settling in Auckland. She travelled the world and spent nine years living in London before having her children.
She was studying towards a Health Science masters degree in traditional Chinese medicine but when she was in London she worked as an accountant.
Police said the family who lived in the house on Shore Rd, Remuera, where Ms Pert was found saw her out a window just before 11am on January 7. It was evident she needed medical help and they called 111.
However, it was too late. It later emerged Ms Pert could have been there for an hour or more before she was found.
Tributes have been flowing for Ms Pert since her death, including from MP Paula Bennett, who had known Ms Pert for 25 years and was a close friend of her and her family.
