Maxine Puhi, 28, who had recently started her own cleaning business, Beez Cleaning Ltd, which was incorporated in April this year, was described by a former employer as “the most dependable person I’ve ever worked with”.
She was a loving mum and an “incredibly honest person”, the former boss said.
“She always did what she said. She was incredibly honest. She would have told me if she found a dollar.”
Puhi’s brother, Ray Taiawa, told Stuff his sister was a “loving mother” to her two children, aged 9 and 7.
“She always had other people’s best interests at heart. She was always just happy ... always a happy, kind soul.”
He said Puhi was “a beautiful mother”.
“Her bond with her kids was amazing. Everything she did was for her kids. She worked for her kids and everything was for her kids. She always had full cupboards, all her bills was always paid just to make sure her kids always had the best for what they needed.”
“Last night [Wednesday night] I saw them [police] take two or three kids out of the house and put them into a car,” she said.
Rainey said neighbours were “very saddened” by the news.
The Taupō area investigations manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley, said the public would notice an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.
“If you saw any suspicious activity or have any information that may assist police in our investigation please contact police by calling 105 and referencing event number: P059649530.”
A neighbour said they heard an ambulance arrive about 10.30pm on Wednesday but “didn’t hear any commotion before that”.
“Woke up this morning and there was the yellow tape.”
He said he knew the people at the address and went over to visit them sometimes.
He described the street as “pretty quiet, pretty peaceful”.
Taupō District Council Tūrangi councillor Sandra Greenslade described it as an “absolute tragedy”.
“We all know each other, we all know everybody. It is a situation that will probably affect a lot of people.”
Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.