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“[ Chris says] his daughter had a great work ethic and was passionate about issues,” said Donna. “Sarah’s main ambition was to become influential so she could change the education system. She wanted to help children, like herself, her father and her brothers, with dyslexia — she didn’t want sufferers to feel ‘ dumb’ because they aren’t.
“Nobody understood what Sarah’s pain was. We saw it.”
Aged 22, Sarah was the youngest person to win a seat on Auckland Council’s Franklin Local Board.
She started her political career at the same time as Joseph Bergin, chairman of the Devonport- Takapuna Local Board.
Bergin described Sarah as “a breath of fresh air with a great social conscience”.
“She was really ambitious and wanted to achieve outcomes for her community, but I think she had an increasing frustration with the political process.”
As Sarah’s public profile increased, her ability to cope went the opposite way. Donna could see her daughter unravelling under the pressure.
“We would have preferred it if she worked less. She wanted to live the high life and that was the issue. We had no interest in those flashy things, that wasn’t her and it didn’t impress us — we just wanted her.”
Donna said Sarah tried hard to deal with her depression. When things got “too much”, Sarah would return to the family farm.
Nikalias Munro, Sarah’s half- brother, said Sarah fell apart when her mother died.
Things started to improve when she started working at Barfoot & Thompson’s Papakura office. The rookie real estate agent showed great promise. It was there that she met and later moved in with a colleague. The pair broke up four months ago. Donna said Sarah’s relationships never lasted.
“She felt she was never loved — it didn’t matter what people said to her, she felt she was better off alone. We would say, ‘ Why don’t you choose someone like us, why do they have to be highflying types?’”
As Sarah’s health deteriorated, she became increasingly isolated from her family.
“We didn’t see a lot of Sarah. Because she was a high achiever, the thought of her not being able to continue was too much for her. But she didn’t want to be reminded of it when she saw us.”
Sarah was farewelled last week at Motukaraka Pt on the Hokianga. The service was simple and heartfelt, without politicians or “anybody of note”. Her death has been referred to the Coroners Court.
“Losing Sarah is heart- breaking, but we feel strongly she is with her mother now,” said Donna. “What they couldn’t achieve in life they can have now.”