Teen stays true to giving nature even after death

Kristi-Rae Ruri-Gardiner. Photo / Supplied

Kristi-Rae Ruri-Gardiner was well known for her kind and giving nature and even after her death gave as much as she could by donating her organs.

The 18-year-old Year 13 Rotorua Girls' High School student was taken off life support at Waikato Hospital on Saturday and died shortly after 8pm, surrounded by family and friends.

Kristi was one of five girls whose vehicle was in a collision with a Toyota Hilux utility just north of the Whakatane turn-off on State Highway 33, about 10am last Thursday.

Her mother, Karen Gardiner, said it was testament to her daughter's giving nature that she decided to donate her organs to others to give them a better chance at life.

"When she went for her driver's licence she said she wanted to be a donor. I thought it was a wonderful thing for her to do," Miss Gardiner said.

Her daughter had wanted to become a dog handler in the police force, she said.

"She was always giving little gifts to us and her friends ... all she wanted to do was give. I think it's important people know she was a donor, too."

Miss Gardiner told the Daily Post in Rotorua she understood the four people who had received her daughter's organs - her kidneys, liver and heart valves - were doing very well.

She said she was extremely grateful for the help and support she had received from the school.

"I've just been blown away by Girls' High, they have just been amazing and have helped us get through this.

"We're coping as best we can ... I'm just on auto-pilot at the moment. I think it will all sink in after [her funeral]."

Kristi's funeral will be held at the Girls' High arena today. She will be buried in the dress she was going to wear to the school ball, which was to have been held on Saturday night.

It has been postponed until next month.

- APN