Alicia Robinson was killed in an attack at a party in Christchurch.
Alicia Maree Robinson, 32, died at an Avonhead Rd house in the western suburb of Avonhead just before midnight in what police are treating as a homicide.
Neighbours say there was a party at the property on Saturday night.
One local on nearby Worthy St said there were awake "when it all went on it" and heard fireworks.
Robinson, a mother of a 3-year old boy, has not formally been named by police.
But tributes are flowing to the popular, bubbly mother on social media platforms.
Her father Paul Robinson has updated his Facebook profile photo to show his daughter, and said: "My Girl R.I.P My Baby Dad x."
He and his wife Missy are now trying to come down to Christchurch from the Nelson region where they live.
A Givealittle page has been set up to help her whanau get to her side.
"Tragically our loved cousin, daughter, niece, sister, friend and awesome mother [...] Alicia Robinson was horribly taken away from us [...] in Christchurch," the appeal says.
"Her immediate family are in Nelson, Blenheim and Motueka and I would love to show my help and support to get the immediate family to be with Alicia. Any help towards helping the Robinson whanau to get to Alicia would be much appreciated. Kia ora."
Friends of Robinson are shocked at her sudden death.
They are paying tribute to a loving mother and thoughtful friend.
