The mother who lost three children in a Manawatū house fire has broken her silence this morning, saying "my babies were my absolute world".
The blaze broke out at a home in Sanson around 2.30pm on November 15, prompting a significant emergency services response.
Four people died in the fire, including three children identified by their mother as August, 7, Hugo, 5, and Goldie, 1, and their father Dean Field.
In a statement issued by mother Chelsey Field, she said the incident had left her "heartbroken and devastated".
"My children did not deserve this," she wrote.
She said her children were taken from her "and all those who love them in the most horrible of circumstances".
"My babies were my absolute world. I have been a stay-at-home Mum since I had Hugo in 2020. Before that, I was an early childhood teacher and August came to work with me every day, and I am so glad I got this time with my darlings.
Field said she does "not want their deaths to define the important, beautiful lives that they lived".
"I enjoyed so much quality time with them; trips to gymnastics, music groups, playgroups and play dates with friends. We had so much fun together and many holidays away. I will forever cherish all these special memories."
Field revealed that she also lost her beloved dog Marlo in the blaze, and the ashes of her stillborn child.
"I also had a stillborn daughter, Iris, who would have been nine this year. I have lost her ashes, photos and all her special keepsakes. I know my darlings will be reunited with their big sister."
She acknowledged the first responders who responded to the incident, and have provided assistance to her in the following days.
"Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the many thousands of people around New Zealand who have been so generous during this difficult time.
"I have felt the aroha of those around me, in my community and around the country. This support has given me the strength to carry on in honour of the short lives my children lived and the impressions they left on so many people's hearts."
Field’s friends set up a Givealittle page for her to "provide her with the space and security needed to grieve in solitude, without the added stress of financial ruin".
That Givealittle page has so far raised more than $347,000 as of Friday morning.
Police previously said they were investigating the incident as a homicide.
They were not seeking anyone else.
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