Givealittle launched after mother and son died in Southland house fire

The final message she received from Kemble Kerr was full of love and pride for her children and grandchildren, including Kelly jnr, a “highly BroadCast Unitedligent” boy who had just started to make money from his YouTube account.

“She loved her children very much.”

Hota said Kembor-Kerr loved clothes, fashion and her Doc Martens boots and was a “studious lady”. She was in her second year of a degree in humanities and hoped to move to New Caledonia in the future to do humanitarian work.

Hoeta spoke of Kemble Kerr’s sense of humor, calling her “the funniest person I’ve ever met.”

“She was very strong, but also very loving… She was the kind of person who would invite anyone into her home. She was just an amazing person.”

She had been suffering from serious health issues recently, including a heart condition and a leg that had not healed properly.

Hota said Kemble Kerr had nothing but praise for her partner, Jason Hoggard.

“I just remember her telling me that he still took care of her even when she had a heart condition and a broken leg… She often praised him and said he took very good care of her.”

Hota said Kemble Kerr affectionately called her partner “my guy.”

While Hoeta considers Kemble Kerr her best friend, she said Kemble Kerr is “a lot of people’s best buddy.”

“That’s the kind of person she was…Her passing is a tragedy for a lot of people, not just me.

“She’s not only my friend, she’s my sister.”

Funds raised by Givealittle will help them cover the costs of transporting the body home for a funeral, and will also provide support to Hoggard, whose home and possessions were destroyed in the fire.

Hota said the money would also provide support for Kemble Kerr’s surviving tamariki and mokopuna to help them through this difficult time.

Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter covering crime, justice and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has been a journalist for 10 years.