A teenager has died after a "courageous battle" against cancer ended just before her 16th birthday.
Molly-Mae Cossey died on Thursday peacefully and "surrounded by her loving family" according to an obituary.
Molly-Mae, 15, won the support of many people, including Jaime Ridge, as she fought cancer.
Mourners posted their condolences on a Facebook support group since hearing the news.
"We never really believed that it would finally happen. She is now out of pain and at peace," the administrators of the Keeping up with Molly-Mae group wrote.
In a family notice, the Cossey family paid tribute to Molly-Mae, described as a "cherished daughter" and "adored sister."
A celebration of the girl's life was expected to be held at Ohope Hall, near Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, at 2pm tomorrow.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked people to make donations to the Molly-Mae Memorial Trust.
According to the Keeping up with Molly-Mae, mourners have been asked to war black, white or grey colours "to respect Molly's colour palette."
Molly-Mae struck up a friendship with Ms Ridge after the pair started communicating on Twitter when the girl was in hospital.
Ms Ridge visited Molly-Mae at Starship and they met when Molly-Mae was in Auckland.
In 2012 Molly-Mae's mother, Michelle Cossey told the Herald on Sunday the friendship was positive for her daughter and that her daughter also received support from Ms Ridge's mother Sally.
- NZME