Tūrangi homicide investigation: Woman described as loving mum

One of two people found dead at a Tūrangi home on Wednesday night has been identified.

Maxine Puhi, 28, who had recently started her own cleaning business, Beez Cleaning Ltd, which was incorporated in April this year, was described by a former employer as “the most dependable person I’ve ever worked with”.

She was a loving mum and an “incredibly honest person”, the former boss said.

“She always did what she said. She was incredibly honest. She would have told me if she found a dollar.”

Puhi’s brother, Ray Taiawa, told Stuff his sister was a “loving mother” to her two children, aged 9 and 7.

“She always had other people’s best interests at heart. She was always just happy ... always a happy, kind soul.”

He said Puhi was “a beautiful mother”.

“Her bond with her kids was amazing. Everything she did was for her kids. She worked for her kids and everything was for her kids. She always had full cupboards, all her bills was always paid just to make sure her kids always had the best for what they needed.”

Maxine Puhi's death was announced by her family members on Facebook.

The employer said Puhi had an incredible love for her children and was a “very, very private person”.

“She had a pretty tough life but she was really making headway for herself and she was doing so well.”

The employer said the woman had “come such a long way” in the six years they had known each other.

“She did not deserve this.”

The employer earlier told Stuff the woman who died “was just the most beautiful person”.

“Whoever did this to her needs to rot in hell.”

Police outside a Tūrangi address on Thursday morning. Photo / Dan Hutchinson

The employer told Stuff she had known Puhi for six years and was informed of her death yesterday morning.

“She was like a daughter to me. [I] spent most of the day crying. I’m really worried about her kids ... devastated for them.”

Puhi’s family announced her death in a Facebook post.

“Kia Ora whanau it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our baby sister.”

The news comes after a neighbour said she saw police lead children out of the Tūrangi home where two people were found dead on Wednesday night.

Police said they responded to the Poihaere St house about 9.50pm after an alleged double-homicide.

A police guard remained at the address on Thursday evening as a scene examination continued.

Neighbour Yvonne Rainey told the Herald there had been a lot of activity on Thursday on a street that was normally quiet and peaceful.

“There’s been a lot of rubberneckers, I had to tell a couple to piss off,” she said.

Rainey said she understood a man and woman had died at the address.

“Last night [Wednesday night] I saw them [police] take two or three kids out of the house and put them into a car,” she said.

Rainey said neighbours were “very saddened” by the news.

The Taupō area investigations manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley, said the public would notice an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.

“If you saw any suspicious activity or have any information that may assist police in our investigation please contact police by calling 105 and referencing event number: P059649530.”

Police on Thursday morning outside a Tūrangi home where two bodies were found. Photo / Dan Hutchinson

A neighbour said they heard an ambulance arrive about 10.30pm on Wednesday but “didn’t hear any commotion before that”.

“Woke up this morning and there was the yellow tape.”

He said he knew the people at the address and went over to visit them sometimes.

He described the street as “pretty quiet, pretty peaceful”.

Taupō District Council Tūrangi councillor Sandra Greenslade described it as an “absolute tragedy”.

“We all know each other, we all know everybody. It is a situation that will probably affect a lot of people.”

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.