Her friend Emma Thacker and others fought against the turbulent, unusually high tide to get Ms Thacker's child from the surf, then turned back to help Ms Gooder who was in obvious trouble, face down in the water with Arly clinging to her back.
The rescuers grabbed Arly but powerful waves continued to sweep Ms Gooder under. By the time she was pulled from the water she had already taken in too much water.
Ms Thacker phoned for help but, fearing St John Ambulance would take too long, called her husband who was working at nearby Refining New Zealand. The refinery's paramedics were at the scene within minutes and worked on Ms Gooder for 15 minutes before the St John crew arrived, Mr Martin said.
His wife could not be revived.
Mr Martin said he could not thank Ms Thacker enough for saving his daughter after she had also saved her own child, then staying with his wife.
Mr Martin said the beach and the Ruakaka community were a big part of the family's life, and his wife would be missed.
On Monday teachers and children from Ruakaka Primary School, where Mr Martin is on the Board of Trustees, held a blessing at the beach.
