Aroha Ormsby died when she was thrown from the passenger seat of a car that rolled near Tokomaru Bay. Photo / Supplied
Aroha Ormsby was "a good mummy who loved her kids".
The 28-year-old had recently broken up with the father of Jackson, 5, and 3-year-old twins Kasey and Trinity and was making a new life for them in the East Coast township of Tokomaru Bay, about 90km north of Gisborne.
"She
was just pulling herself out of a rough patch," said Lisa Muller, who manages the Mayfair Store where Ms Ormsby worked part-time and "always had a smile on for customers".
"She had just finally got herself settled in her lovely new home."
But early yesterday she was flung from an out-of-control car and killed - the first death on the roads this Queen's Birthday Weekend.
It appears the Wellington-raised mother - who had moved to the bay to get into farming - was not buckled in when the Subaru veered off Beach Rd, rolled over a bank and landed on the beach just before 6am.
The 23-year-old driver, believed to be her new partner, was taken to Te Puia Springs Hospital with minor injuries.
Relative Ngoi Pewhairangi said the couple had been drinking at a local party after watching the East Coast versus Poverty Bay rugby match in Gisborne that afternoon.
Gisborne Acting Sergeant Danny Kirk said a blood sample had been taken to test for alcohol content and police were investigating whether speed was a factor.
Ms Pewhairangi said Ms Ormsby was a "good mummy who loved her kids".
She said Jackson and the twins were with their grandmother in Gisborne.
Ms Ormsby's father Keha Ormsby last night said his daughter attracted friends wherever she went.
"Especially when she was at St Mary's College in Wellington," he told the Herald. Mr Ormsby said the family was making plans for her funeral in the capital on Wednesday.
Others close to Ms Ormsby were too upset to talk, but described her as "a loyal friend".
Ms Muller said she was well liked by customers at the Mayfair store and a popular team member of the Tokomaru Bay United netball team.
"She played wing defence," said Ms Muller. "She was a good player."
National manager for road policing, Superintendent Paula Rose, said it was a tragic loss of life.
