Baby Maija Puhi Duff was "his heart, his everything" her emotional grandfather has proclaimed, adding "she was beautiful".
Rameka Puhi's heartfelt words were in response to a request by Crown solicitor Amanda Gordon for him to describe the baby as he began his evidence in the High Court at Rotorua on Tuesday.
On trial is baby Maija's father Donovan (Donny) Michael Duff, 42, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering her at their Turangi home on March 12, 2016, just days before she would have been 9 months old.
Puhi recalled his daughter told him Maija had taken a tumble out of a car seat and he'd seen a graze on the baby's forehead but couldn't remember if she still had it when he last saw her, three days before she died.
Questioned by Duff's lawyer Moana Dorset, Puhi was unable to say whether the defendant had been crying or the two of them hugged while a paramedic was giving Maija CPR.
Two of Duff's relatives talked of spending time with baby Maija the day before she died. Neither had noticed any bumps, bruises or scratches on her.
Casey Duff said the baby had fed herself from a "suckie" (food pouch) but hadn't been interested in a bottle.