By Kate Green of RNZ

A friend who was with a New Zealander when she was allegedly set on fire by her ex-partner in Australia says she is glad she was able to be there with her friend.

Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, who grew up in Auckland, was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with severe burns on January 18.

Emma Nguyen, her friend of 21 years, said she had flown over to Queensland to spend a week with her.

Kiwi woman Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, is fighting for her life in hospital after her ex-partner allegedly set her on fire.

They were on the balcony when Otton-Rakuraku’s ex-partner came round.

“I just sensed there was going to be danger when I saw him walk up the stairs to her house,” Nguyen said.

The 36-year-old man, identified by Australian media as Renata Manning, allegedly doused Otton-Rakuraku in petrol before producing a lighter and setting her on fire.

He was charged with one count each of attempted murder and common assault, and appeared in court on January 20.

Nguyen told RNZ it was a horrific and traumatising situation, but she was glad she was with her friend.

“The family are saying I was meant to be there – and I am grateful that I was,” Nguyen said.

In the minutes after the attack, Nguyen said she and one of Otton-Rakuraku’s sons, who was also home at the time, were able to move her into a cold shower.

Kiwi woman Destiny Otton-Rakuraku, 34, is fighting for her life in hospital after her ex-partner allegedly set her on fire.

She said neighbours heard the screaming and arrived in time to help her with directions for the emergency services.

On Monday, she said Otton-Rakuraku had undergone four surgeries in the past week, and her condition was stable but critical – she remained in an induced coma.

“The main thing is, she’s alive,” Nguyen said.

Family and friends had flown from New Zealand and around Australia to be with her, and Nguyen said she had only just returned to New Zealand herself.

A GoFundMe page raising money for her recovery had exceeded $50,900 by Tuesday.

“She’s so deserving of it,” Nguyen said. “She needs to start a whole new life now, especially with her two boys.”

The family would not be returning to that house – it was “not a safe place”, Nguyen said, with too many bad memories.

Otton-Rakuraku would not be able to work, either, “so all those funds will just be very helpful for her recovery ahead”.

Her recovery was expected to take at least a year, with at least another few months in hospital.

FAMILY VIOLENCE

How to get help:
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.

Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)
• Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
• It's Not Ok: Family violence information line - 0800 456 450
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children.
• Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)
• Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence
• Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women.

How to hide your visit:
If you are reading this information on the Herald website and you're worried that someone using the same computer will find out what you've been looking at, you can follow the steps at the link here to hide your visit. Each of the websites above also has a section that outlines this process.

- RNZ