Son pays tribute to parents

The couple were living at the house in Uawa Parade. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell

The son of an elderly couple who died in a house fire on Friday morning has paid tribute to his parents.

Roger Van Der Zanden spoke fondly of his mother Bev, 78 and stepfather John, 80, who he said were very active people.

"They were just a couple who had a few miles left in the tank," he said.

"They had been married 36 years."

It is understood a plane crash tragically claimed the life of Mr Van Der Zanden's father when he was very young.

Today, neighbours planned to host a morning tea for Mr Van Der Zanden and his wife who had arrived from Australia.

The elderly couple were house-sitting the recently renovated property, locals say the couple had been living at the house for only a few months and "barely ventured out."

Tolaga Bay volunteer firefighters were called out about 3.15am Friday and both bodies were recovered by mid-morning.

Delys Hooper, a close neighbour and member of Saint Andrew's Church in Gisborne, said she and some other locals had done some baking and were praying for Mr Van Der Zanden who she said was "too devastated" to attend the gathering of support.

"He came to church once and made himself known to us," she said.

"We will be here for him when he needs us and in the meantime we will just keep praying."

She said the minister of the church intended to come and bless the house.

Another close neighbour, Gwen Gordon, paid tribute to the pair:

"They were so active, Bev was very musical and artistic. He was a lovely quiet man with a great sense of humour who just adored her."

"We just enjoyed their company."