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RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
'We are living a nightmare every day'; Kaea Karauria's parents appeal for help after death
By Moana Maniapoto and Hikurangi Kimiora Jackson, Te Ao with Moana Kaea Karauria's whānau. Photo: Te Ao With Moana Hawke's Bay couple Ren Karauria and Kym Baker barely held it together as they spoke exclusively with reporter Hikurangi Kimiora Jackson (Te Ao with Moana) to talk through the tragic death of their son Kaea Karauria. Just weeks before his 16th birthday, Kaea was attacked and fatally stabbed at a birthday party in the Napier suburb of Onekawa on 11 May. He died in the early hours of Mother's Day - as an ambulance crew tried to save him. "He had a big heart," sobbed the young boy of his big brother; a sentiment echoed by his grief-stricken mother Kym: "He loved his nannies." A month on, the 20-strong police team investigating the killing has still not made an arrest or laid charges. Until now, inquiries have been met with a wall of silence, despite around 50 people attending the 18th birthday party where Kaea was fatally stabbed. The whānau invited Hikurangi into their home to speak publicly for the first time, hoping their appeal might prompt someone to come forward. Their social media appeals have, so far, gone unanswered. They describe Kaea as a "handsome 6'3" young man who was 'a good sports player' - an understatement, because Kaea showed real promise as a rugby player, having made all the local rep teams. They said he was creative and artistic and academically done really well. They spoke of a young man just getting into the swing of teenage life and who openly shared that with his parents. Photo: Te Ao With Moana / Aotearoa Maori Rugby League To Ren's eternal regret, there was an argument between him and Kaea on the night of the party that they never got the chance to resolve "I didn't want him to go. Anyway, long story short, he ended up going and he came to the door and said goodbye to me. And because I was angry and I didn't want him to go, I didn't say anything. But his brother said, you know, see you. But I just wish I had said goodbye…told him I loved him." Last weekend, Kaea's parents attended a special rugby match to honour their son. It was between Napier Boys High School and Hastings Boys High School; Kaea had been a student at both. The couple said it helped restore their faith in community. Now they're appealing to the power of community to help identify those responsible for their son's death. Ren also claimed there have been threats and intimidation of potential witnesses. He appealed to those in the know who feel frightened or threatened, urging them to "do the right thing," come forward and understand the power of the community "who are willing to get behind them". Ren was also keen to address rumours that the family had gang affiliations; an allegation they flatly deny, despite some extended whānau members being patched. He believes the rumours may have been fueled by photographs of Kaea that have been "taken out of context" and "misconstrued". "Even if that was the case," declared Ren, "It doesn't make it right, you know. It doesn't mean that he deserved to be taken away from us like this." The family are also traumatised by their understanding that so many people were around their son and did not help him. Ren's message is clear: "Do the right thing and otherwise you're going to have to carry that for the rest of your life. You shouldn't have to carry something like that for someone else." "We might be able to go back out into our community and feel safer. We might be able to get more rest and start to heal." Anyone with information is asked to make a report online to New Zealand Police, or by calling 105, using the reference number 250511/1317. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Or by DM to Te Ao with Moana on its social media platforms. - This story was first published by Te Ao Māori News
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- RNZ News
'I beg you to come forward': Kaea Karauria's mother makes public plea for help
Kaea Karauria. Photo: Facebook / Simplicity Bereavement Services - Āniwaniwa Funerals The mother of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria, who was killed nearly two weeks ago, is pleading for those who were at a party where he died to tell the police the truth about what happened. Karauria was found critically injured with stab wounds in Onekawa on Alexander Avenue at about 3am Sunday, 11 May. Despite all efforts by ambulance staff, he died at the scene. Police are yet to find his killer and a team of 20 investigators are working on the homicide case. Detective Inspector Martin James told RNZ that a group of 16 to 18 year olds, who were at the party with Kaea that night, are withholding information from Police. "We are being challenged by a number of people, probably six or seven, who are not telling us the truth and we are aware of that. "If they were to tell us the truth it would expedite the investigation to probably almost a closure," he said. Kaea Karauria was found critically injured with stab wounds on Alexander Avenue at about 3am Sunday, 11 May. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook Karauria's mother Kym Baker posted on social media asking for people to "please help us find justice for my son". "My whānau is living in a constant state of grief and unanswered questions. Someone out there knows something. Even the smallest piece of information could make the biggest difference. "Please, we are living this nightmare without our son. If you saw anything, heard anything, or know anything, I beg you to come forward," she said. Karauria was stabbed on Mothers' Day during a fight after a party of about 50 people gathered on Dinwiddie Avenue in Onekawa. Baker urged those who know what happened to contact police. "Do it for a mother who wakes up every day in pain. Do it for a dad internally fighting himself everyday. Do it for two babies adjusting to life. Do it for my son a life that mattered deeply. "These clowns still go home to their whānau, my baby is gone forever. The longer they remain free, the longer our streets remain unsafe for all of our babies! Please do the right thing," said Kym. Police at Dinwiddie Avenue after the stabbing took place. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook Detective Inspector Martin James told RNZ police have now talked to over 50 people who were in and around Dinwiddie Avenue on the night of the stabbing. He said a lot of photographs have been uploaded to the police portal anonymously, and those who took them need to speak to the investigators. "What we need now is the people who put those into the portal to come and talk to us. "Those people who were at the party and know what happened hold valuable information," he said. If people aren't coming forward because they're worried about their safety, then police said they can talk through a number of options to keep them safe. James said the reluctance of those witnesses to come forward is slowing the investigation down. "It's incredibly frustrating for our investigation team. This week we've executed a number of search warrants in relation to this. "We've seized vehicles and have a number of items being forensically examined. We will get to the bottom of who is involved. Having the eye witness account of what occurred would certainly take us to that next level," said James. He said it's been a big investigation and there are a number of people they are interested in. He said the are determined to find who killed Karauria. "I'd like to thank my investigation team for the effort they're putting in. They've been working on this case for 11 or 12 days now and they don't lose sight of getting closure for Kaea's family," he said. Police are reiterating that Karauria's family and this homicide have no connections to any gangs. Karauria has been remembered as a quiet and respectful student who was full of 'creativity and skill'. In a post on social media, Napier Boys High School said Karauria's death had deeply saddened their community. "His passion for sport was like a superpower. Sport lit him up from the inside." Kaea Karauria. Photo: Supplied Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105. Footage can be uploaded anonymously here - Please quote the reference number 250511/1317. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- RNZ News
Family grieve Kaea Karauria teenager stabbed to death in Napier
Police are urging anyone with any information or videos from a fight on Dinwiddie Avenue at the weekend to get in touch. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook Police remain at the scene where a teenage boy in Napier died on the weekend after being stabbed. He died at about 3am Sunday in Onekawa during what police are calling a "violent disorder", and another teenager was injured on a nearby street but has since been discharged from Hospital. The family posted on social media saying that Kaea Karauria's body will be brought home on Tuesday. "On behalf of our brother Ren Karauria our sister Kym Baker our nephews Ihaia and Manaia we wish to thank you all again for the outpouring of love shown for our son and brother Kaea Karauria. "Our Son, brother, moko, nephew cousin and friend to many, will return home to us today. Respectfully we ask from 2pm today our home is open for our immediate whānau and friends only so that we may spend this time together as a whānau," said relative Jennifer Rei-Paku Hatton. She said from Wednesday morning others are welcome to farewell Karauria. "We welcome you all with open arms to spend time and share your stories, laughter and tears with the whanau remembering the life of Kaea. "There will be no formal tikanga processes, we invite you to come as you like throughout the day with karakia daily. Further and final tangihanga details will be advised at the end of today," she said. On Tuesday morning, several police cars, a tent and orange cones are in place at the property on Alexander Avenue where Kaea was found critically injured, and police said, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, he died at the scene. A scene examination is ongoing at Alexander Avenue. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook A scene examination is ongoing at both Alexander Avenue and Dinwiddie Avenue, and police are urging anyone with any information or videos from a fight on Dinwiddie Avenue at the weekend to get in touch. A team of 20 police investigators are working on the homicide case and scene guards are outside both locations, as well as police tape cordoning the properties off from pedestrians. A resident told RNZ earlier in the week they now feel unsafe and are looking at moving away from the area. While another neighbour said they heard loud music and talking on Dinwiddie Avenue at the weekend, and saw bottles on the roadside on Sunday morning. Police declined RNZ's request for an interview. Police urge anyone with information to make a report online or call 105, quoting reference number 250511/1317. Information can also be provided anonymously on 0800 555 111.
