Cambridge house fire victim Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter honoured by her school Rototuna Junior High

Students performed a haka outside Rototuna Junior High for fire victim Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter, 14.

• A haka was performed by Rototuna Junior High School students to honour 14-year-old Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter.
• She died from her injuries after a house fire which started in a bedroom in Cambridge on May 9.
• Her family have started a Givealittle page after “losing everything we own”.

Students lined a Hamilton street to perform a powerful haka as the body of their 14-year-old classmate was driven past their school.

Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter was left fighting for her life after a house fire in Cambridge on Friday, May 9, before succumbing to her injuries.

Rototuna Junior High School told the Herald she was “a vibrant soul” who will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the passing of one of our cherished students. Though her time with us was far too short, the light she brought to our kura will not be forgotten.”

Before the Year 10 student’s tangi, her schoolmates gathered to perform a resounding and emotional haka as her body was driven by.

Nevaeh’s coffin was draped in a korowai (cloak) of blue, green, purple, white and black feathers.

Nevaeh’s school said: “She was a vibrant soul with a deep passion for Kapa Haka and Te Reo Māori.

“Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she was a valued and spirited member of our Kapa Haka rōpū, Tuna Whakapeke and Raratuna. We will fondly remember her dedication and the joy she found in celebrating her culture.

“She will be dearly missed. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and aroha are with her whānau and friends.

“We know that this loss is deeply felt by our students and staff. To support our school community, our whare, Te Tuuranga o Koura, is open as a space for us to gather, to grieve, and to process this profound loss together.

“Members of our counselling team, along with senior staff, are available to provide support and a listening ear to anyone who needs it.”

When the first firefighters from Cambridge arrived at the Brennan Place property, the fire was well alight and Nevaeh was unaccounted for.

Three people were inside at the time of the blaze - Nevaeh, her older sister, and her sister’s partner, the Waikato Times reported.

Firefighters entered the house to look for Naveah.

She was carried out of the burning building badly injured and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police confirmed she was found by a volunteer firefighter who was an off-duty police officer.

“The teen was pulled to safety and crews provided immediate medical assistance,” a spokesman said.

Fire investigator Kevin Holmes told the Waikato Times the blaze started in a bedroom. He said the cause had been identified, but would not be announced until the police probe was completed.

The fire was not being treated as suspicious.

Neighbours told the Waikato Times the fire spread quickly, while one recalled hearing calls for help from inside a granny flat attached to the property.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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