An horrific crash has left friends and family mourning the loss of a bubbly Rotorua teenager who loved horses and was willing to help anyone.
Seventeen-year-old Miemie Cloete died in Dunedin Hospital on Saturday from injuries suffered in a head-on car crash on the Balclutha-Owaka highway last Thursday.
Described by
family and friends as a bubbly, wise teen, she was the driver of a car carrying four other students which was involved in a head-on crash with another car.
The driver of the other car, 22-year-old Israeli tourist Or Eliyahu Ben-David, died at the scene.
Balclutha police said it was likely to be weeks before the cause of the crash could be determined.
Miemie left Rotorua about six weeks ago to pursue a career with horses, studying at Otago's Telford Rural Polytechnic.
Everyone who knew her described Miemie as friendly and positive.
Her parents, Charles and Barbara Cloete, jumped straight on a plane from Australia to Christchurch when they heard the news about the crash. They and her brother, Rotorua's Colin Cloete, 19, were with her when she died.
"It's going to be a loss to us all, we're not going to see her grow up successful," Charles Cloete told The Daily Post.
Although the family was close before the tragedy, Mr Cloete said his daughter's death had brought them closer together and he and his wife were now thinking of moving back to Rotorua.
Mr Cloete said his daughter was a young woman who wanted to help and support others. She really wanted to teach young children how to ride horses and volunteered at Rotorua's Riding for the Disabled.
Colin said friends and family spent the last couple of days sharing memories about his sister.
He was the first one to get to her hospital bedside on Friday morning and said hearing the news about the crash was "very emotional".
He said he would miss his "best friend", describing his sister as being mature and independent.
"Brothers and sisters ... don't always get along but deep down inside they're like best friends. That's how I feel with her," Colin said.
One of Miemie's best friends, Rachel Wells, 16, never went a day without speaking to her.
She had so many memories of her best friend and would miss eating pizza, shopping and hanging out with her.
"I'll remember her for being so bubbly, she was so funny and [had] really blonde comments," Rachel said.
One of the most memorable comments Miemie made was that she "could breathe through her ears".
Miemie loved horses and spent the last four years volunteering at Rotorua's Riding for the Disabled Association.
President Leonie Coker described Miemie as "the loveliest young woman I've ever come across".
She even helped Miemie get her own horse free because she was a hard worker who was passionate about horses. "She's going to be a great loss and she had a huge future ahead of her."
John Paul College teacher in charge of equestrian Colleen Graham said she would cherish her last memory of Miemie.
"The last time I saw Miemie was before she travelled down south to begin her studies. She was so happy and excited smiling - the smile on her face I will remember forever," she said.
"Miemie was an absolutely delightful student. She was down-to-earth, realistic, confident, caring, hard working, had found her passion in life, and was truly happy with who she was as a person.
One of Miemie's friends, Tegen Sarrant, 16, said Miemie often wore purple at different horse shows.
As a tribute, she would wear purple to her funeral and to the North Island Secondary School's Dressage Competition next weekend.
"We all miss her and everyone does. It's not going to be the same without her."
Another friend, photographer Tracey Robinson, described Miemie as a "bubbly" teenager who was always positive and wise beyond her years.
Miemie's funeral, to be held at the Fenton Park Bible Church on the corner of Hilda St and Ward St from 11am, will be a "celebration of her life".
TELL US: Did you know Miemie? Do you have messages of condolence for her family?
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