I would like to thank the many people that came to the aid of my ill mother on Mount Maunganui on Saturday 2 February 2013.
My mother collapsed and became unconscious whilst walking up the mount. At the time I didn't get a chance to say thank you to the people that spoke to the emergency services on the phone and the many others that offered assistance, water and stopped access to walkers on this spot up the mount.
I would especially like to thank 'Sue” who was absolutely amazing and was my rock in this time of desperate need and your reassurance and assistance was truly tremendous and I am forever grateful and you solidified for me how proud I am to be a New Zealander.
I cannot praise enough the valued TECT Helicopter Rescue service and the St Johns Paramedics that remained calm caring and thoughtful throughout the time when tending to my who is doing just fine and this experience has made her make necessary changes to her health for the better.
In recent times their has been negative publicity about the lack of assistance the member of the public received when trying to flag down people to come to the aid of the now drowned woman in Mount Maunganui, my experience from the people up the mount that day was a truly different experience.
My family and I are grateful to everyone's help and without the genuine willingness to help from passers by the outcome could have been very different.

Danica Turner.