Jo volunteered for me in the kitchen at Everybody Eats. It was always a joy to see her name on the rosta, I knew we would have a fun night when she was around. She was kind, patient and hard working. She was considerate and generous with her time. She had a beautiful and playful way of seeing the world, making games out of simple tasks and joining in with me and Brett on our ‘kitchen olympics’ . She was always curious and interested in others and so compassionate. She understood that not all of us viewed the world the same way and some things weren’t so easy for everyone. She was a very special young woman, and I’m glad I got to meet her.

We will miss you massively at Everybody Eats. You were such a wonderful addition to the team, witty and dry sense of humour, amazing work ethic, love of vegan food. So sad to hear you’re gone. Our family lost a light knowing we won’t have you back in the kitchen again xox

I met you when I was on my way down from hiking up pirongia for the first time and you screamed after stepping in some mud, we then continued to have some of the best conversations ive had with anyone on the way down, you werent afraid to ask whatever was on your mind and you were extremely easy to talk to - that day I was looking for a friend and I had found one! We stayed in contact and continued to hike up mt karioi in raglan then hit the beach for a few hours, i got burnt to a crisp but it was such a great time, ill miss getting all those messages to stop and take a look at the sunset outside - you truly changed my outlook on life in the short amount of time I knew you, thank you so much for everything.

Dear Jo, When the news reached me I did the only thing I could think of to speak to you, I went to the ocean. I dived in only my undies and went out as far as I could. There are a million words I could use to describe you and none of them feel good enough. You radiated kindness, compassion and love. You were courageous and bold and fun and beautiful. You were the first person to ever make me feel truly seen and understood. I sit here today knowing this is the version of me you saw all along, all those years ago at 16 before I even knew myself. I would give everything for one last hug. To go back to our school trip, to art class, to feel you braiding my hair. To share one more of our infamous pain au chocolat (dark Whittaker’s chocolate sandwiched in white bread), to share a picnic, to see you smile and hear you laugh one more time. I see you in the birds that visit me and the flowers and trees, in every shell on the beach. I feel you in the waters, in the sun on my face. I think of you every time I raise a paintbrush, every mark I make, in every room of my home which holds your art. I will never stop writing, for I will never run out of things I want to say to you. E kore e ea i te kupu taku aroha mōu. Hei te wā tītoki e hoa 💗 I love you, I miss you.

Dear Jo Miller (from Puhoi), Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for telling me fun facts about bumblebees (& the fantastic painting of a bee you made for me- unprovoked) and other critters, and life in general. You truly saw and supported through my own struggles during high school - regardless of your own. You are kind, beautiful, and endearing. We all love you, forever. Passing my condolences to Jo’s Family, Friends, and any one who had to pleasure of knowing Jo. Thank you for organising a lovely ceremony in memory of this beautiful girl.

The first time I properly met Jo, I had arrived at some party and started talking to her in the hallway. I never actually went inside because we sat down on some chairs near the entrance and talked for the entire night - primarily fun facts back and forth about the ocean, dinosaurs and space. I have always struggled with eye contact, but for some reason I didn’t feel that when talking to her. I knew on a deeper level, she was hurting, but it was so easy and rewarding to make her smile. Seeing literally any animal, playing scrabble, talking about her friends and family, a blank piece of paper (and a pen or paintbrush), anything orange or hot pink, fun facts, writing lists, Fantastic Mr Fox, and the beach. She told me ‘if I’m ever having a freak out, just drive me to the beach and throw me in the ocean’. We went to the beach a lot that summer. One time, we drove out to Mākara. I didn’t feel like swimming so I sat by the water and waited for Jo. I got worried because I couldn’t see her, and then I heard screaming. She ran out of the water and I thought she had hurt herself. It turns out, there were hundreds of tiny jellyfish in the water and she was covered in them. They were all through her togs and her hair. She was freaked out at the time but we laughed about it a lot later. I’m very glad I decided to stay on land. Jo and I were together for less than a year but it always amazed me when we would catch up, how much information she had memorised - even after months and then years had passed, she could remember every detail about what was going on in my life. She would ask me about things that even I had forgotten about. Jo is probably the only truly selfless person I have ever met. She did good for the sake of making the world a bit better for everyone else. Not because of ego, or personal gain but purely for the sake of others. I know and love so many people but Jo was genuinely like no one I have ever met before and she will be on my mind for life.

I had the absolute privilege of getting to work with Jo as a Teacher aide at WEGC. She was such a pleasure to work with, and I learnt so much from her. She had such a huge heart for our rangatahi and really help me understand them better. Her love and laughter were infectious. I have so many fond memories of Jo, I remember her finding a bug at the innermost gardens and I would be amazed how she was so taken aback by its beauty and would tell us a fun fact about it. Jo saw beauty in all creation she was so loyal, generous, creative and compassionate. I remember her bringing in freshly baked bread to school for us to have, what a treat that was! Every time I make bread now, I think of you Jo, I think of you when I see the bees in our garden and I when I look up in the night sky I know that you are there sparkling away as you do. The world is a better place because of you. You are dearly and forever missed my friend. Moe mai ra e hoa - Rest in peace friend ❤️ My deepest sympathy and condolences to Jo's Whānau and Friends. Aroha mai, aroha atu

after not hearing ruru call all summer, i heard one every night for a week after jo left and i knew she was having a wonderful time flying beneath the stars. when i first met jo it felt like she could see who i was when i couldn't, the fog of my own negative thoughts didn't cloud her vision and she made me feel seen and loved. she did this for a lot of people. not too long ago she told me she could finally believe she was a kind person. jo you were the kindest person anyone has ever met. you saw everything in the world, both the suffering and the beauty and the magic, and held it in your heart. you cared so deeply and brought everlasting joy into the world. i dream that one day we can be a binary star together for a bit, i think all of us will take turns at that. knowing you was worth the pain of losing you. i love you jo.

Jo's beauty radiated from the moment I met her. Love and fire so powerful you can see it, feel it from far away. Jo brings life like the microbes in lava, she is the insects, the soil, the sun, she is the life of the party. Jo is jo. I am more than blessed to know you. I love you Jo.

Jo's laugh will always be the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of her. she had a one of a kind, beautiful, joyful laugh and it was such a treasure to hear it. I will miss her humour, her way of cutting through fluff to get to the real truth of a matter. I will miss seeing her swim and her showing up at our flat just to use the bath. the presence of Jo made the world a more enjoyable place, and we will find traces of her in it forever. <3

I've known Jo since I was 5 years old. She never failed to amaze me with her intelligence and talent. At a time some might have considered us very close in high school. I wish that I had lit our friendship develop into more outside of high school. You will be missed Jo. Although you didn't see your own beauty, we all did. Rest in love my dear friend.

i had the pleasure of knowing jo during her time with me through intermediate. a very talented and intelligent person, taken far far too soon, i hope you have found the peace you were desperately searching for

It is an understatement to say that Jo was special. Jo saw the world differently to anyone else I've ever met. Her humour, kindness, silliness, affinity for stars, community, the ocean, and all things bright and beautiful are things I will never forget. She was the most generous soul I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I will always treasure our time together, thank you for being my friend. I love and miss you Jo, there is no one else like you <3 xxx

jo was such a special friend, I feel so incredibly lucky to have known her. The most joyful, colourful, hilarious person I’ve ever met. I am so sad to not be there today so I thought the next best thing would be to sit by the ocean where I discovered this starfish which I know jo loved ❤️ miss you so much 🧡

one time jo broke into my house and dropped off homemade tumeric bread then escaped without me knowing. she was the kindest person i have ever met, she was a million wonderful things. i’m so so so lucky to have known her. i will miss everything about her. i will keep her love with me forever and ever and ever.

One Sunday afternoon, Jo and I decided to kick a football at the botanical gardens, and a toddler came up to us and joined in. Naturally he gravitated towards Jo, and I watched the warmth and laughs they shared as they tried to communicate with each other. Everyone that got to know Jo knows exactly what that warmth feels like. I miss Jo’s quick wit, and her commitment to a bit. I miss going swimming with her, and how she would turn into a fish and swim into your knees when you weren’t looking. I miss her endless facts about the earth, sea, space, or anything else that piqued her interest. I miss her infectious laugh and crushing hugs. Jo taught me gratitude and compassion, and her dedication to bringing love and care to the world and the people around her will forever inspire me. Peace and love Jo, I miss you lots and lots.

I don't know when I met Jo exactly, one fun night in the last year or so. We didn't know eachother very well but every single conversation we had has stuck with me. So quick to question any of my self doubt and turn my conversations around to positivity, I've never met someone so bold to do that and really change my mind. We danced and sang at the Elam ball, holding hands and shaking around like mad people. that is a very precious memory. I loved talking about the power of food with her, and her enthusiasm for creativity and enjoyment. I felt so safe around her and related to her so so deeply. Every memory I have of her is one of pure radiance and understanding.

Our sweet Jo. Rest in Peace. I’ll miss the silliness of Mahu and being the fastest Maccas drive thru in the country. Paint the skies for us.

Jo Miller, because I would always greet you with your first and last name. Our friendship bloomed in art class during high-school. Your creativity, no bullshit attitude, but unrelenting kindness are things I will always remember. I see you at point chev beach during low tide, in all the art that I come across and the tropical smoothie that you had when we last met. I love you and miss you so endlessly. Although you are not here, I will always know you in the people who you loved and love you.

On Sunday, We held a wake for Jo on Houghton bay, 40 people turned up, we sat in a circle and shared poems and stories about our beloved Jo, we cried into the waves and the wind and then we laughed and we shared Kai. The love was palpable. I love you Jo, you are with the stars now.

I have been so lucky to have had the magical presence of Jo in my life since we were 14 starting high school. She gave her all to everything, always had time for everyone, and oozed light and love in all ways. I see her in the sky and the produce aisle and in almost every song and in every radiant thing. I miss you and I love you so so much.

precious jo - friend, advisor, fellow investigator of life’s happenings, vegan chef extraordinaire, birthday week sharer, artist, mana wahine. i love you my darling, go well. i’ll see you in the night sky, shining brightly like always. kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te kārohirohi i mua i tō huarahi - may your calm be widespread, may the ocean glisten like pounamu, may the light ever shimmer across your pathway.

I first met Jo back in 2023 when we lived together in sunny beautiful Hataitai, I learned Jo loved stars, specifically binary stars, she quickly blessed our flat with the most amazing unique paintings inspired by this. She loved collecting shells and crabs from the beach which my cat unfortunately found one day, sorry Jo.. on my birthday when the ants found my cake that my partner made, Jo was the first to quickly whip me up a new cake, she always thought about others which I loved about sweet Jo. I also loved how she used cumin in all her cooking, very Jo style. My deepest condolences go out to all her family and friends xxx

jo - I feel so lucky to have known you and remain forever changed by the love and care you showed me constantly. I see you in all things kind and bright, I'll love you so much forever.

I first met Jo at a friend’s 19th birthday. The first thing she said to me was that she’d done her makeup on the bus on the way there. We danced all night and every time we were in the same city I’d try to see her. I think of her when I see flowers and orange and the eels in my local pond. Jo was so absolutely remarkable, so honest and kind and vibrant. I love you Jo I miss you

I meet Jo at Massey, I was such an anxious lil thing and she was so welcoming and loving towards me. Her vibrancy and beautiful chaos I was perpetually in awe of. I can remember the last time we talked she said all she wanted in life was to help others and she absolutely had and always will; I hope she new that. She will be missed immensely, all my love x Ruby.

Jo you will forever and always be an inspiration to me. Your vibrancy, honesty, vigour, generosity and thoughtfulness inspired me to be more myself. I wish you knew how awesome you are and I will always be thankful of all the times I popped into your thoughts and your thoughtfulness for recommending books and podcasts to me. No matter how hard things were for you, you always made people feel loved and you cared so much. I will miss your focaccia, I will miss the colours that you bring into the world. I will strive to be as thoughtful and generous as you have always been. Much love, Sandy

jo, i first met you back in 2022. we quickly bonded upon noticing that neither of us managed to make a second of eye contact within our conversation. this started an immediate friendship between us and saw us living together the following year. the time that i have known you has meant the world to me, i’ve never met someone so invigorating, passionate, and loving to everyone around them. you have the most generous soul, i look up to you greatly in that regard. living with you for those 6 months was some of the most fun i’ve had in my adult life, you made our environment forever fun and supportive. your love is one that has made such an impact on my life, and so many others around you. i will always think of you when i see the colour orange, when i go to the beach, when i hear ‘sneakernight by vanessa hudgens. your memory will live on in so many ways, and your kindness will stay with me and everyone else forever. i love you jo, i miss you so much. i always will 🧡

I love you and miss you everyday

Kia ora I want to send my deepest sympathies for the loss of dear Jo, she was a sweet, empathetic, kind and creative person and we are better having known her. My family and I are blessed to have known her. I am truely heartbroken to hear of her passing.

I've met with Jo in Wellington East Girls college in TeAka as my daughter's teacher aid. Last year she also worked with my daughter , Kyra for a few months in our home on private sessions. During this time, I grew close to Jo and I'll forever treasure our long heartfelt conversations. She was a ray of sunshine, a truly beautiful person. I was looking forward to spend time with her again when I learned about her passing... my heartfelt condolences to all her loved ones. Farewell dear angel, I hope you're in peace ❤️

I had the pleasure of working with Jo in Te Aka at WEGC, where she was a truly wonderful teacher aide. Jo’s kindness, thoughtfulness, and deep empathy for our students made a lasting impact on everyone in Te Aka and even the wider school. In the two years Jo worked at WEGC, she taught me so much - both professionally and personally. On Sunday, the Te Aka team, along with some of Jo’s friends, gathered at one of her favourite Wellington beaches to honour her memory. We shared stories, sang waiata, and took a swim in the sea - something Jo loved to do. It was a beautiful way to remember someone so full of warmth and generosity. Jo will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her memory will continue to inspire us. Sending my heart felt condolences to Jo's family.

Ngā mihi nui Jo. We learned so much from you. You were an inspiration to us all. We are thankful for your generousity with your words and your time. Thank you for supporting our young people to grow. Your empathy was second to none. You had wisdom and courage beyond your years. We mish you so much. We have a box of tributes and memories we would love to share with your family. Below is a photo of our time on Sunday remembering Jo. We have more photos we would love to share. Jo was very special to us. Arohanui.