Family and friends buried baby Mustafa Ali at the Te Kūiti Cemetery on Thursday. Photo: Stuff / Mark Taylor
The mother of baby Mustafa has paid tribute to her "happy and adorable boy" in a post on social media.
Mustafa Maheir Mukzameel Ali was taken to Te Kūiti Hospital unconscious on Saturday afternoon and was unable to be revived.
He died a short time later and police began a homicide investigation.
Family and friends buried the baby boy at the Te Kūiti Cemetery on Thursday. They gathered around the tiny grave, where a cross, flowers and soft toys were laid.
Photo: Stuff / Mark Taylor
On Thursday evening Mustafa's mother, Tauvalea Law, took to Facebook to thank all of her family and friends and everyone who came to her son's funeral.
She said the birth of Mustafa was the "happy day of my life, it's change my world and my life [sic]".
She said her son was moved to her parents in October last year because of "situation," but she would often visit him and look after him.
"On February of this year he move back to us [sic]. I was happy so that I continue to be a mother again.
"Let me tell everyone about him, Mustafa Mahir Faaivivi was a happy and adorable boy.
"I never seen kind of boy like this. He's a strong and naughty boy, his favourite cartoon movie is Cocomelon.
"Once when the TV was on and I turn on the Cocomelon, and then he scream first, after that when the song come he started to sing, clap, smile and dance."
She had hoped he would one day play rugby like his mother.
"I was so excited he's my right strong arm for the future, but now he's gone never come back."
She finished her post saying "we can't do anything, only God know, he's the one who gave and he's the one who can take away."
"I know U gone but we never forget U in our heart. I love and miss u so much my boy [sic]."
It was quiet and calm at the rural cemetery, with a crisp and chilly wind, for the around 30-minute service.
A song briefly rang out, with a small boy loudly saying "bye Mustafa".
Amongst the crowd, people were wearing T-shirts with Mustafa's photo and angel wings on the front, with the words 'in loving memory'.
Before the burial, loved ones gathered in a church in the King Country town.
In a video posted to social media, Mustafa was laid in a small, open basket. He was wrapped in a white, lace blanket and was wearing a white suit and hat.
A compilation of videos was played on a big screen, highlighting clips of the smiley boy.
Framed photographs were laid around him.
Around 100 attended the service at the cemetery. Photo: Stuff / Mark Taylor
The funeral comes a day after the baby's father, Mukzameel Ali, admitted to Stuff he was responsible for some of the injuries that his son suffered on the day of his death.
On Wednesday, he said his son was "choking, he couldn't breathe", when he started giving him CPR.
"So when I was giving him the CPR so that would've caused that injury to become more big, and cause his death.
"The only thing I was doing like I was trying my best to save my son. That's all I can say. If that could've happened from me, from doing it but that wasn't on purpose. Like I was trying to save his life."
Ali said what happened was "not intentional," and he was "worried" about what might happen.
Police have not made an arrest.
On Tuesday, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said both of Mustafa's parents were talking to police.
"But I will outline that we have some inconsistencies with some of the statements that we are getting with what appears to be the injuries of Mustafa."
This story was first published by Stuff.