KEY POINTS:
The lifeless bodies of Taua and Mia Evile were found lying together after fire ravaged the Mangere house where they were staying.
It was some small comfort for their family that the sisters with such a close bond - Taua, 11, was a "mother hen" to Mia, 8 - at least had each other.
Yet the pain was still overwhelming for their mother, Helen Adams, and others saying a final goodbye to the girls in an emotional funeral service in Tai Tapu, 15km south of Christchurch, yesterday.
Two other children who died in the fire started by chip oil left in a stove - Brenda Simati, 15, and Tyreece Simati, 1 - were buried together in Manukau on Sunday.
Taua and Mia, from Christchurch, were staying with their father, Misi Sau Evile, when the tragedy occurred and had not seen their mother for almost a month.
"At school and through Helen [their mother], the girls knew what to do if they were caught in a fire," an aunt of the girls, Christine Kemp, told more than 200 mourners.
"I know they would have done everything correctly, and Taua would have led Mia to safety. However, the disadvantage was that the house didn't have working smoke detectors."
Another aunt, Judyanne Flint, said: "We all know Taua will continue to take care of Mia in heaven."
In Taua's last message to her mother in Canterbury, she was complaining about Mia not doing what she told her to do.
"Taua liked to have everything in its place and she was known as a mother hen," Mrs Kemp said.
"She was a little bit of a worrier, and was also known to be a little bit bossy at times.
"Mia balanced Taua by being not so fussy about having everything in its place. Mia was quick with a smile, but she was quite mischievous."
Mia's school principal, Mark Scown, said Mia often came to school "full of news of her sister's achievements and things they had done together".
Mrs Kemp urged all families to ensure they had working smoke alarms.
"Please use our tragedy as your lesson. Taua and Mia would be alive today if the smoke detectors were working."
