"We had an awesome day on Sunday, a great day ... but did you hear my heart break that night?"
The funeral service was conducted by Barry Sims, who said Gabrielle's death must not be portrayed "as something heroic, when what happened was a heart-wrenching tragedy".
Makoura College principal Tom Hullena echoed the sentiment, saying the "indescribable pain" felt by her friends, family and extended family "cannot be celebrated".
More than 30 students and staff from the school joined in a waiata and boys from the college performed a haka.
Her father said Gabrielle, an animal-lover and keen gymnast and tennis player, had confided in him before her death about being the target of bullies. He and her mother Jasmine had often reported their daughter absent, or taxied her from the school, because she could not face her tormentors.
Other family members later said there had been a Facebook page titled "I hate Gabby Meyrick", since deleted. Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said police had taken Gabrielle's phone, as was routine. She said police had viewed relevant Facebook pages and found "nothing on there to cause concern".
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you think you or someone else is at risk, call 111, or contact:
Youthline 0800-376-633
Lifeline 0800-543-354
Depression Helpline 0800-111-757
What's Up 0800-942-8787 (noon-midnight)
- APN
