Photo: Supplied
This story discusses suicide.
Three children killed in a house fire in Sanson have been remembered at their funeral.
August, 7, Hugo, 5, and Goldie Field, 1, died on 15 November in what's being treated as a murder-suicide.
Their father, 36-year-old Dean Field, also died in the fire at the family home. He is suspected of murdering the three children before taking his own life.
The funeral was held at Crossroads Church in Palmerston North and attended by hundreds of family and friends.
The children, in brightly coloured coffins, were brought into the funeral home and placed alongside one another.
August's coffin was blue with stickers featuring his love of football, Hugo's green showing his love of dinosaurs, and Goldie's pink with floral stickers.
The family dog Marlo, who also died in the fire, was placed beside them.
'Motorcycle Drive By' by Zach Bryan was played, one of the childrens' favourite songs that they would always ask to be played louder in the car.
Officiate Aingie Miller began the service saying August, Hugo and Goldie were adored by family and everyone's hearts are full of love and compassion for everyone grieving.
August James Field, born 27 November 2017. Photo: Supplied
Miller described August, also known as Auggie, as a welcome blessing who was cheeky, mischievous and a natural entertainer with speed as his super power.
Hugo, also known as Johnny, liked a bit of "rough and tumble" with his older brother but they were also kind and caring with each other. His super power was strength.
"Goldie girl" had the super power of happiness.
Reading on behalf on the children's mother Chelsey Field, Miller started saying "my sweet three beautiful brown-eyes darlings, you are my absolute world".
Field said August James' favourite colour was blue and he loved machinery, cars and motorbikes.
He loved music and Field said she spent six weeks of lockdown listening to him sing 'We Will Rock You' about 50 times a day.
Field said August loved sports, being social and fishing trips with his papa.
August would have been 8 on Thursday.
Hugo John Field, born 18 March 2020. Photo: Supplied
Hugo John was a snuggly, sensitive mama's boy from birth, Field said.
He had a "huge obsession" with dinosaurs and Field said she had to learn all the names of them to read dinosaur books to him.
He loved he colour green, riding motorbikes, building huts and was constantly trying to keep up with his big brother.
Field said he was unable to say August at first - calling him Cecil instead.
Goldie May Iris Field, born 6 September 2024. Photo: Supplied
Field said Goldie kept her on her toes her entire pregnancy but was the "sweetest little girl" who loved snuggles and sleepy cuddles.
She was a happy, cruisey baby who was used to being out and about with her big brothers' activities.
She had four teeth, was confidently pulling herself to stand and cruising around the furniture.
Field said she would miss constantly hearing "mum, I'm hungry" and the boys saying " six seven" constantly.
"I will miss you three so much. You will know your mum will love you forever and ever."
August's best friend Levi and his mum Dani spoke of how much they would cherish the memories they had of all three children.
Dani said they had spent every day with the family in the last week of their life, the boys playing outside while Goldie took decorations off the Christmas tree.
She said she never would have imagined it would be the last time she spent with them.
Dani said the whole country had wrapped itself around her best friend, Field, and was experiencing the heartbreak alongside her.
"Aotearoa stood still for her", Dani said, and saw the beauty of the three little lives she raised.
Dani said the love for Field had been big and deep and had not stopped.
She would continue to be carried by thousands who see her, care for her and will continue to hold her.
It was a reflection of Field and her incredible children, Dani said.
On behalf of her son Levi, Dani said he wished he had a Uno reverse card to reverse everything that had happened.
A video by Kiwi artist Stan Walker played, him singing 'Bigger' for the children.
Walker said he was sorry he had to do the tribute and was sending love and prayers "to the beautiful August, Hugo and Goldie".
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
- What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
- Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
Family Violence
- Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843.
- It's Not OK 0800 456 450.
- Shine: 0508 744 633.
- Victim Support: 0800 842 846.
- HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
- The National Network of Family Violence Services NZ has information on specialist family violence agencies.
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