'The last thing he said to me was I love you'

Laura and Robert Barr with their daughter Asha. Photo / Supplied

Laura Barr has just endured a "three-day banger" with her late husband's birthday, accident and death anniversaries falling on three consecutive days.

It's been a year since the 24-year-old lost her husband, Robert, in a nail-gun accident.

Though it went by in a blur she still recalls that fatal day vividly.

Mr Barr was working on a Waipukurau building site with a nail gun when it fired and struck him in the shoulder.

He had walked outside and pulled out the nail.

He was still in good spirits and even walked to the Lowe Corporation Helicopter that flew him to Hawke's Bay Hospital.

Mrs Barr was feeding her baby daughter, Asha, when she got the call.

"When I was with him he was fine. He was talking to me," she said.

"Asha was with me and when she left he grabbed her hand and told her he loved her and he would see her soon.

"The last thing he said to me was I love you so, so much."

Not long after the pair left, Mr Barr was put on a breathing machine.

His wife was soon called back to the hospital.

About 30 minutes later, he was gone, she said.

"It was just such a shock, I didn't believe it.

"I went to see him and thought he would wake up.

"He was such a strong fit and healthy guy."

As family arrived, the reality had set in.

"It was a nightmare that I wouldn't wish on anyone."

Mr Barr was injured the day after his birthday and passed away the next. He would have been 32 last Wednesday.

Last week the "three-day banger" occurred for Mrs Barr.

The family met on Friday to set off some balloons in Mr Barr's Central Hawke's Bay rugby colours.

The couple's daughter has been a pillar of strength for Mrs Barr.

"I think I would be a completely different person if it wasn't for Asha.

"At the time she definitely pulled me through, made me get up in the mornings and made me smile when I didn't feel like smiling.

"She looks so much like him and has a similar personality.

"She's very cheeky, funny, loves to be centre of attention, can be loud, fun and energetic," she said as baby Asha loaded Ed Sheeran's Give me Love on the phone, held it to her ear and smiled.

"I want Asha to know who her Dad is and she will ...

"I have lots of special memories to share with her."

The pair still live in the Havelock North home Mr Barr was rebuilding. She has continued the renovations with support from friends and family.

"We wanted to finish the house for Robbie who spent so much time and effort rebuilding it for Asha to grow up in."

About 1200 people attended the 31-year-old builder's funeral, at the Central Rugby and Sports Club last July.

It showed how many lives he touched, Mrs Barr said.

Mr Barr played almost 150 games for the club's premier team.

The rugby club helped with the funeral and has stayed in touch since.

"They are our family as well," Mrs Barr said.

She still doesn't have a clear understanding as to how exactly her husband died other than "complications with the nail gun".

She was grateful to the hospital staff.

"I know they worked really hard to save Rob.

"We miss Robbie every day and always will.

"But we know he wants us to be happy."