A visibly upset Paula Bennett - a friend of the mother of two and her family - visited her relatives in the central city.
"It's very sad. She was much loved," the minister told the Weekend Herald. "I'm helping with arrangements."
Joanne Pert (41) is survived by her son and daughter. Their father, who is separated from Ms Pert, declined to comment last night.
The children are understood to be in the care of Ms Pert's father, Kevin, who travelled from Whanganui yesterday.
Police allege Ms Pert was attacked while on a morning run on Shore Rd in the leafy suburb of Remuera. She later collapsed on the front lawn of a house, just metres from the front door.
A 24-year-old Mt Roskill man, a stranger to Ms Pert, handed himself in to police on Thursday. Yesterday, he appeared in the Auckland District Court on a charge of murder. He has name suppression.
One of Ms Pert's neighbours, who lives a few doors down from her central city apartment, told the Weekend Herald she was a "lovely lady" who always put her children first.
He had developed a friendship with Ms Pert and the children after she moved in three years ago.
"I was close with the kids. I'm an older guy and I've got long white hair, so I'd pretend to be Santa and I told the kids I was Santa's brother."
As "Mike Claus", he would talk to the children often about their Christmas wishes.
"In the mornings I'd see her walking the kids, and they'd stop and talk to me. She'd always stop and wait patiently for them to have their chat with me, especially when it gets close to Christmas."
He had been shocked to hear of Ms Pert's death while he was out of town.
"What touched me was that she was so devoted to her two children. She may have been well connected or whatever you want to call it, but she didn't have a luxurious life - it was all about the kids."
A shocked friend of Ms Pert told the Weekend Herald yesterday that she was a "kind and gentle person".
Dr Rona Wang, who now lives in Sydney, became Ms Pert's friend when she was teaching her at the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Ms Pert had been studying for her health science masters degree in traditional Chinese medicine.
"She was so very kind and beautiful. A very intelligent woman with much knowledge," Dr Wang said.
"She was a great mum to her daughter and son - I am thinking of her family."
About three years ago, Ms Pert made an impassioned plea against proposed Family Court reforms in a submission to Parliament.
Describing herself as a solo parent of two children, and a student with a focus on traditional Chinese medicine, she expressed fears a reform bill would have "irreparable consequences" for babies and young children when making care arrangements after separation and divorce, especially in high-conflict situations.
Last night, Detective Inspector Kevin Hooper told the Weekend Herald Ms Pert's children were with family at the time of the attack.
Investigations so far had established she did not move far after the attack, which police believe occurred on the Shore Rd footpath between 9am and 10.30am.
Operation Solitaire staff had already spoken to a number of witnesses, he said.
"[We] expect to speak to many more over the coming days and weeks to try to establish the accused's movements - and that of his alleged victim's - in the Shore Rd area and its environs in the time leading up to and, in the accused's case, after Joanne was attacked."
Ms Pert's family travelled to Auckland yesterday and met police investigating her death.
"Our sympathies are obviously with Joanne's family and friends and we are committed to making every effort to ensure a robust prosecution is achieved," Det Insp Hooper said.
"We are relieved that we are able to reassure members of the community that the alleged offender acted alone and is remanded in custody."
The occupants of the property where Ms Pert was found have returned to their home. They would not comment when approached yesterday.
The Mt Roskill man accused of Ms Pert's murder was remanded in custody yesterday until his next appearance in the High Court at Auckland on January 27. His name suppression will be reconsidered then.
He did not apply for bail.
Judge Claire Ryan ordered a number of reports, including a psychiatric evaluation.
The accused, wearing a blue police-issued boilersuit, appeared calm during the short hearing. He smiled once towards the end of the appearance.
