Kiwi woman dies saving 9-year-old boy

Aggie Auelua drowned at Fingal Head after trying to rescue a young boy. Photo / Facebook

The family of a New Zealand woman who died saving a young boy say she could barely swim and they're desperate for more information about what happened.

Agnes 'Aggie' Auelua died after jumping into the sea to save a boy swept off rocks near Fingal Head lighthouse, New South Wales, on Saturday.

Her family and former school today remembered as a helpful, friendly and happy person who made a positive impact on her community in Wellington's Hutt Valley.

Her aunty Taima Mano, who adopted Ms Auelua as a young girl, said the 25-year-old was a lively person who always had a "positive attitude".

Rock formations at Fingal Head. Photo / Getty

The family wanted to know if anybody helped her when she jumped in the water.

"We are grieving. We are suffering," said Mrs Mano's husband, who asked that his name not be used.

He did not believe his niece was a good swimmer and said as a child, she was scared of the water. He said he was very surprised Aggie jumped in, even though she was brave.

The Mano and Auelua families hoped to gather tonight in Naenae, in the Hutt Valley, to discuss how they might arrange a memorial service and repatriation.

The family understood Ms Auelua's partner wanted a cremation in Australia.

But Mrs Mano said cremation was incompatible with her family's cultural values and though they respected other cultures, it was important Aggie had a traditional memorial service.

Mrs Mano said Aggie was "a Hutt girl" and most of her relatives were still in New Zealand.

The Manos legally adopted eight nieces and nephews before having two children of their own.

All the children were like brothers and sisters, Mrs Mano said.

Some of Ms Auelua's relatives planned to visit northern New South Wales as soon as possible.

Others were travelling up from Christchurch to support the family in Naenae.

Mrs Mano said the family also needed more information from the coroner.

Aggie's uncle said it was sad when young people moved away and didn't keep family informed about their lives. The Manos said they rarely heard about Aggie's personal or work life and they hoped to learn more about what she was doing in Australia.

Aggie's mother was too upset to talk to media this morning.

The Manos believed Australian emergency services did as much as possible to save Aggie, and said a police officer who attended the tragic incident and later spoke to them was "distraught."

Police told Mrs Mano that Aggie "was a brave girl" to help the boy.

Mrs Mano said she'd barely slept since Saturday evening.

At Sacred Heart College in Lower Hutt, teachers shared fond memories of their former pupil.

"She was incredibly positive, very bright, full of energy, very generous and giving," said religious studies teacher Gabrielle Bartholomew.

"We have fond memories of Agnes and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends," she added.

Other staff also said Agnes was a school librarian and a member of the Sonore Singers, the school choir.

Deputy principal Alison Spencer, who also taught Ms Auelua, said people weren't surprised she jumped into the water to save the boy.

The teachers remembered Ms Auelua as someone who always put others first.

English and religious studies teacher Anne Davies said Agnes was a popular student and "an important part" of the community.

"She was a person you remember."

The teachers smiled when told Ms Auelua's family described her as a "Hutt girl" and agreed the Hutt was her home.

The school would hold a special liturgy for Ms Auelua and the teachers said students, who've just returned from holidays, were upset to hear the news.

The teachers said Aggie had a sister currently studying at Sacred Heart.

Ms Auelua attended Sacred Heart from 2003-2007. Yearbook photos from that time show her with a beaming smile and bright, lively face.

The Manos said Aggie went to the local Congregational Church when she was a child, and later the Assembly of God church.

She went to Sunday School as a youngster.

Aggie was born in Apia, Samoa, in December 1989.

She came to Naenae in 1991, staying in the Mano household before moving back in with her mum, who moved to Naenae and lived a few blocks away.

It is unclear if the boy was one of the children Ms Auelua was with, but Australia's 9News reported he was the son of her partner. Police said he was not related to her.

Ms Auelua jumped into the sea and reached the boy. She managed to keep him afloat for several minutes before getting into difficulty herself.

- Additional reporting: Corazon Miller of the New Zealand Herald