Porirua mourns sudden death of Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi

Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi has died suddenly, leaving her family, fellow councillors and the wider community in shock.`

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says she is “numb with shock and disbelief” following the sudden death of Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi.

Wihapi, who was of Māori and Pacific descent, died unexpectedly, with Baker confirming her death in a statement on Saturday evening.

“She was such a vibrant, outgoing and generous person, full of life, warmth and a deep love for all of Porirua,” Baker says.

Wihapi (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) was a longstanding member of Porirua City Council, first elected in 2016 to represent the Eastern Ward.

She made history in 2022 when she became the city's first elected Māori ward councillor, representing the newly established Parirua Māori Ward, and was appointed deputy mayor. She retained both positions following the 2025 local body elections.

Kylie Wihapi. Photo/Barbara Edmonds MP

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker confirms Wihapi's death, telling the NZ Herald it followed a freak accident at home.

“She had a fall at home. Her husband called me this morning, about half past eight or quarter past eight,” Baker tells the Herald.

“I’ve been with the family this evening. It’s a struggle for everybody, especially for her husband and her son and family. We’re just thinking about them.”

Her Pacific heritage also placed her among a small group of Māori and Pasifika women to hold senior leadership positions in local government.

As previously reported by PMN News, Wihapi followed Cook Islander Jasmine Underhill, who served as Porirua's deputy mayor from 1989 to 2001, Ana Coffey in 2013 and Izzy Ford from 2019 to 2022.

Baker says Wihapi's leadership was marked by her compassion and commitment to the city.

“She brought wisdom, courage, compassion and an unmistakable energy to everything she did. I have lost a trusted adviser and friend, and her fellow councillors have lost a much-loved colleague.”

Beyond her elected responsibilities, Wihapi advocated for harbour health, employment opportunities, better infrastructure and improved outcomes for rangatahi.

She also helped advance the council's Maungaroa Māori Strategy and supported the establishment of Te Kupenga Marae, a collaborative initiative involving four marae and Māori communities across Porirua.

Her community involvement extended to sport, including coaching and umpiring netball and serving as netball convener at Aotea College.

Baker says there will be more opportunities to acknowledge Wihapi's contribution, but her immediate thoughts are with the family she leaves behind.

“There will be more to say about Kylie’s extraordinary contribution in the days ahead,” Baker says.

“But right now, my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her whānau, especially her husband Adam, son Cooper, step-son Atama, her mum and dad Marlene and Rob, her brothers and wider family. My heart breaks for them.”

The mayor describes Wihapi as someone whose connection to Porirua shaped her public service.

“Kylie was Porirua through and through. She loved this city, believed in its people and worked tirelessly to make it a better place.

“We will miss her terribly.”