'Full of life' crash victim leaves behind two children

Just when he was thinking of slowing down, Rotorua's Roger Tautuku-Orme has found himself raising his grandchildren, after his "happy-go-lucky" and "full of life" daughter was killed in a crash.

Chloe Orme, 28, died when her car crashed into a creek near Mangakino on March 19. She left behind her two children; Zane, 11, and Ever, 7, who are now being cared for by Tautuku-Orme.

Tautuku-Orme has spoken publicly about his daughter for the first time since the crash.

"She was creative, she loved reading and dancing and she was a chip off the old block," he told the Rotorua Daily Post.

"Her personality was like mine, very happy and loud and she was a creative person who loved her arts ... she loved sports, especially swimming, and she raised two beautiful kids.

"Chloe loved the outdoors, going out with dad, and doing things together. We would have dad-daughter dates."

Tautuku-Orme said the wounds were still raw. Chloe would have celebrated her 29th birthday on April 2.

"She was full of life and a bit of a comedian. I'm still reeling from it. She loved her mates and they are just devastated. They will all be part of the kids' lives."

He described his daughter as "happy-go-lucky". She was a full-time mother but was about to start work on a farm.

Tautuku-Orme said since her death, "koro has become daddy".

"I've taken on that role, I'm there to protect my moko and that's what I'm doing."

The children will soon move from their home in Mangakino to Rotorua with their grandfather.

"I'm fortunate I had a lot to do with them so it's an easy transition. They are all excited about new adventures with koro."

But it's hard. Ever, who turned 7 just six days after the accident, is still coming to terms with what has happened.

"Ever, she doesn't really understand 100 per cent, just bits and pieces. At the funeral she said 'There's mummy, there's mummy' and we sort of explained to her but it was pretty hard."

Tautuku-Orme said the crash came at a time he was thinking of slowing down, now it's full speed ahead with his two grandchildren who are just like their mother.

"It's with sadness but they are bringing me a lot of joy as well and I know Chloe's spirit is always there.

"Ever loves the outdoors as well ... we go for walks, we go swimming at Chloe's favourite spot in Blue Lake and they say, 'Mum would have liked this aye koro.' "

A family member has set up a Givealittle page to help the children, and Tautuku-Orme said he just wanted to give them everything they wanted.

"I want them to have all the opportunities and love that goes with it. The funds are all for them.

"It's been devastating all around. I just want to focus on meeting their expectations in terms of what they want to do.

"It's a learning curve but it keeps me young."

Support the family at here.