Kathryn Powley reports.
They died in Tauranga but their bodies will rest forever in Northland.
George Andrew Grabner, known as Andrew, and Teresa Audrey Gunn, also known as Teresa Kohu, were the victims of a double homicide on Sunday.
Both were living in Tauranga but had strong Northland connections. Mr Grabner will soon
be buried in Whangarei, Ms Gunn in Opononi.
It is the second time in as many months that a former Hokianga woman has been brought back from Tauranga for a funeral at Pakanae Marae.
Toni-Ann Nathan, who was shot dead in late October in an "execution-style" killing under a Tauranga bridge, was also farewelled at the Opononi marae.
Mr Grabner and Ms Gunn died after neighbours reported hearing shouting and what appeared to be an argument between Ms Gunn and her former partner, Jason Reihana, at her Greerton, Tauranga house.
Ms Gunn's body was being brought back to Pakanae Marae, Opononi, today.
Her father, Dave Gunn, said it was a place she held dear having lived there for about four years, in the late 1990s with her first partner Vance Williams.
"She loved Opononi, she kept telling us so. She always wanted to go back, she loved the people and had some very good friends there. It's all like one big happy family ... very close. They've been very supportive of us."
Teresa's first child, Mateau, who died of cot death at the age of five weeks, was buried in Opononi. Her funeral was also held at Pakanae Marae.
Having attended his granddaughter's funeral, and tomorrow facing his daughter's, Mr Gunn said: "I hope it's the last one I have to do."
Ms Gunn started going out with Mr Grabner about five weeks ago.
"All the kids kept telling me `He's a neat guy, Granddad' ...
"We are devastated for Andrew's family.
"We never met him, we've never met them, but we have tried to make contact."
He planned to attend Mr Grabner's funeral at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Kamo, on Saturday.
Mr Grabner, 39, was raised in Whangarei where he attended Pompallier College. He was working as a plasterer in Tauranga.
Mr Reihana, 33, has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
