Victim remembered as 'perfect mum'

A woman who was murdered in her Wellington home last week has been remembered as "more perfect than perfect" by her 15-year-old son.

Liam Taufale stood before more than 600 people in a packed Old St Paul's Cathedral and spoke of the love for his mother, Amanda Dawn Taufale.

"It's amazing that she can make you smile when you should have a frown."

The 33-year-old mother of two was killed at her Tawa home last Thursday morning and her body found by Liam.

Her former partner, Ernest Smith, has been charged with her murder.

A tearful Liam remembered that Ms Taufale, who also had a six-month-old boy, joked with him and tickled him until he smiled.

"She is more perfect than perfect."

Ms Taufale's casket was painted green to remember her love of frogs, while her Maori cloak, taiaha and patu sat on top.

An inflatable flamingo and dinosaur, taken from her office, sat on either side of the casket.

Ms Taufale had a bachelor of applied science in psychology, and had worked with disabled men and women, disadvantaged youths and victims of domestic violence.

She had volunteered at Women's Refuge, and in the past two years taken up a job at Industrial Research where she worked as a science support coordinator.

She was remembered by friends and family as someone who loved dressing up, fancied herself as a bit of a match-maker and took great delight in celebrating Christmas.

Her friend Geraldine Gray also remembered her as a woman who crossed the cultural divide between Maori and Pakeha.

"My friend, you are one of us, we are part of you."

Ms Taufale's casket was welcomed into the church and then farewelled by a group of Maori women.