Nicco Tuhetoka died while working as a scaffolder at a Sutherland unit complex

The shattered siblings of Nicco Tuhetoka who died while working at a Sutherland unit complex have spoken about their brother’s big heart and kindness as they prepare to lay him to rest.

The heartbroken sister of a man who died while on the job in Sutherland has remembered her brother as the “biggest joker with the biggest heart”.

Nicco James Tuhetoka, 28, tragically died on Monday afternoon while he was working, alongside his brother Greg, as a scaffolder at a Sutherland unit complex on the Old Princes Highway.

The exact circumstances of his death are being investigated by SafeWork but the Tuhetoka siblings said their brother collapsed and was unable to be revived using CPR.

Paramedics soon arrived but he died in Sutherland Hospital surrounded by family.

The close Kirrawee family have had their world shattered as they try to come to terms with the passing of Nicco.

Nicco Tuhetoka, 28, died on Monday afternoon while he was working as a scaffolder at a Sutherland unit complex on the Old Princes Highway. His family have paid tribute, describing as a man with a big heart, smile, humour and kindness. Picture: Supplied

“He was my rock, my world, the reason I was able to deal with what came my way. Nicco was my light in a tunnel, the person in my corner and the one who never dropped me,” Nicco’s sister Alishar Tuhetoka said.

She spoke about the unbearable pain of losing her brother and the days since Nicco’s death had been a blur as she organised his funeral.

“The pain is excruciating and it is unlike anything I have felt before,” Ms Tuhetoka said.

“My world has been shattered into millions of pieces, and no amount of glue will ever make it the same. We were two peas in a pod.

“My brother was one in a million.”

Nicco and Alishar Tuhetoka were incredibly close siblings. They used to talk about everything and she described her brother as the “ying to my yang” in a touching tribute. Picture: Supplied

Ms Tuhetoka said Nicco would do anything for anyone without hesitation, always had a smile and would put one on other people’s faces.

Nicco was the dancer in the family, often showing up his brothers on the dancefloor with his “killer moves”.

“He loved music, dancing, and drawing. He was the creative one,” Ms Tuhetoka said.

“My brothers and I are stubborn, feisty and fiery, but Nicco wasn’t like that, he was the opposite and could cry at the drop of a hat.”

The Tuhetoka family when the siblings were younger. Picture: Supplied

The youngest sibling had all the time in the world for his family, especially his parents who he still lived with at their home because he enjoyed helping them out.

“Nicco would say to me that he felt sorry for any girlfriend he had because she would have to move into the family house,” Ms Tuhetoka joked, before adding that Nicco did have a partner who he could see a future with.

Ms Tuhetoka spoke of the love her brother had for her kids, who were his godchildren, and his other nieces and nephews. In particular her son Isaiah.

Ms Tuhetoka said Nicco would often say Isaiah was like his own child.

The family said Nicco would cancel his plans in an instant if they needed a babysitter because he loved playing with them and watching them grow up.

Ticks Tuhetoka described his brother as a “caring, loving person” who would “go out of his way to help another person and never wanted anything in return”.

“Family was the biggest thing to him,” he said.

Siblings Nicco Tuhetoka, Alishar Tuhetoka, Ticks Tuhetoka and Greg Malaki shared a special bond. Picture: Supplied

Mr Tuhetoka loved his brother so much that he named his son after him, which Ticks found out since his death meant the world to Nicco.

He said despite squabbling as siblings do when growing up they had become closer as they both matured.

Mr Tuhetoka said one of the hardest parts of his brother’s death was his passing happened so suddenly and they weren’t given the chance to say goodbye.

He had taken comfort in knowing how many lives Nicco touched.

Nicco loved Ms Tuhetoka’s children, who were his godchildren, as well as his other nieces and nephews. He is pictured with baby Isaiah. Picture: Supplied

Greg Malaki worked with Nicco, in what was supposed to be a casual job after he finished high school but they were still working together seven years later.

“He stuck around for me because he knew I needed him. He could have left at any time but didn’t,” he said.

“We took the piss out of each other and would compete over who had the best joke.

“He was one of my best mates, and we would have so much fun banter.

“I picked on him, yelled at him but he wouldn’t complain to my face.

“I am definitely going to miss working with him.”

The family including Olivia Hagaitoa, Greg Malaki, Alishar Tuhetoka, Ticks Tuhetoka and their cousin Frankie Tuhetoka, along with parents Helen Malata and Penitalini Tuhetoka, will say goodbye to Nicco at a funeral held on May 27 at 9am at South Chapel Woronora in Sutherland.