‘THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME, MY BABY’: KIMI’S TRIBUTE TO DAUGHTER DAKOTA, PASSED IN CRASH

Photos supplied

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.

BY TANGIORA HINAKI

A young Roebourne woman known for her deep faith, love for community, and work with local youth services has died in a crash that also claimed the life of a 21-year-old man. Dakota Wikitoria Tahi Tahi, 29, was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Prado that collided with a Hilux around 3:25pm. Four passengers in the Prado were injured, two critically.

Kimi Tahi Tahi says the pain of losing her daughter is more than she can bear.

Her eldest child, Dakota Wikitoria Tahi Tahi — known to many as Koda — was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Prado when it collided with a white Hilux on a road near Roebourne at around 3:25 pm. She was 29.

A 21-year-old man was driving the Hilux. Both drivers died at the scene.

Four passengers in the Prado — a 13-year-old girl and three women aged 19, 24 and 25 — were also injured. Two remain in critical condition.

Kimi says Koda was a gift from God. She described her as a fighter, a protector, a nurturer, and a believer. A girl who laughed often, loved deeply, and cared for others even through her own struggles.

“She was amazing,” Kimi said. “She had such a big heart. So kind. So special.”

The Tahitahi family moved to Roebourne 16 years ago and quickly became part of the Ieramagardu community. She says they were embraced like family. Through hardship, faith, and service, they stayed. And Koda gave herself fully to the life they built.

“You were my rock,” Kimi said in her tribute. “You helped pull me out of the darkness. You cared for my soul, spoke God’s word to my heart, cried for me and prayed for me. You stayed soft even when I was hard.”

“I’ll miss your words, your voice, your laugh.”

Koda’s work life reflected her heart for her community. Over the years, she held a wide range of roles across Roebourne and surrounds.

She supported young people as a student support worker and teacher’s aide at Roebourne District High School, and later mentored young women through the Stars Foundation.

She worked with youth through Roebourne PCYC and IF Foundation and provided care and support at Yaandina Family Services, taking on roles including detox worker and Mingaa Bus support.

At Bighart, she used her voice as a singer and stepped up as a youth coordinator. She worked in health at Mawarnkarra Health Service as a TIS health worker. Through Ngaluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd, she helped run kids’ sessions in Cossack, served behind the bar at Whim Creek, and worked at the Cossack Café.

She also took on roles at Roebourne BP, cooked for children at Gurlugurlu Maya Children’s Services, and supported local events as a coordinator with the City of Karratha. She started out working in the kitchen at Tata’s Restaurant.

Kimi thanked every one of her daughter’s former employers for the opportunities they gave her.

“Thank you that our baby had awesome opportunities with these wonderful workplaces and organisations to learn, grow, flourish and use her gifts and talents to touch every heart in her own unique, special way,” she said.

Big Hart

The crash occurred on a stretch of the North West Coastal Highway between Roebourne and Karratha, a route often travelled by locals and workers alike. In the wake of her daughter’s death, Kimi issued a heartfelt plea:

“Please, help make our roads safer. Those driving on our roads please don't take risks, please please drive safer true God,” she said.

Kimi says she knows her daughter is with God, and she will see her again. But the grief is still raw. “Why, God? Why my baby? It’s not fair,” she said.

She finished her tribute with a prayer:

“Thank you, Lord, for giving me your most precious daughter, our beautiful girl Dakota Wikitoria Tahi Tahi. Thank you for the privilege of being her mum. I give her back to you now. Please heal my heart, I pray.”

Dakota is remembered as a singer and a woman of faith. A young Māori woman who gave her love freely and lived with purpose.

“You are royalty,” Kimi said. “The daughter of the Most High King.”

If you would like to support the family with a koha (donation) pls send to:

Brodie TahiTahi

016-725 463578597