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RNZ News
16-05-2025
- RNZ News
Funeral held for Napier teen stabbing victim Kaea Karauria
Kaea Karauria, 15, died on 11 May 2025. Photo: Facebook / Simplicity Bereavement Services - Āniwaniwa Funerals A funeral will be held today for a Napier teenager who was stabbed to death last weekend. Police launched a homicide investigation after the death of 15-year-old Kaea Karauria. He died at about 3am Sunday in Onekawa during what police are calling a "violent disorder". Another teenager was injured on a nearby street but has since been discharged from hospital. Police are still searching for Karauria's killer. Kaea Karauria was found on Alexander Avenue. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook An online post by Āniwaniwa Funerals said a service for Karauria will take place at 11am Saturday at Napier Boys' High School. The post said the teenager would then be "laid to rest next to his Pāpā Victor at Moteo Urupā". "This will be followed by hakari at Timikara Marae." Kaea Karauria. Photo: Supplied In a post on social media days after his death, Karauria was described by school leaders as a quiet and respectful student who had a strong interest in both sports and the arts. "His passion for sport was like a superpower. Sport lit him up from the inside... particularly evident in his excitement to represent NBHS in the U15's team last year," they said. The school said that beyond the sports field, Karauria was also a valued presence academically and was described as "quiet, respectful, and full of creativity and skill". "These glimpses into his passions highlight the well-rounded young man he was." Karauria previously attended Porritt School, which also paid tribute to the teenager, describing him as a "child of immense talent". Police investigating the death of the teenager said rumours that the whānau and victim have gang affiliations are "damaging and unhelpful" to the investigation, and that the family have no gang connections at all. Detective Inspector Martin James said a team of 20 investigators is working on the case and is appealing for any information, photos or videos from a gathering on Dinwiddie Avenue on the morning of 11 May. Kaea Karauria. Photo: Supplied They have received a steady flow of information from the public, but no one has been arrested. "We are making good progress with plenty of information coming in, but we are still seeking further information about those involved on the night," Detective Inspector James said. Police have set up a phoneline for those wanting to share information about the incident. People can leave a message on 0800 852 525. Ulternatively, Anyone with information can make a report online or call 105, quoting reference number 250511/1317. Information can also be provided anonymously on 0800 555 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Napier teen homicide: Kaea Karauria's father's plea for information on ‘who stabbed my son'
The head of the 20-strong police team investigating the killing has made several appeals for information, but as yet no one has been arrested or charged. Kaea's father, Ren Karauria, has also asked for anyone who knows what happened to contact him directly. 'I want to know any info about who stabbed my son. Pm me,' Ren has posted online. Others close to Kaea have also urged people who were at the 18th birthday party and witnessed the altercation to 'step forward' with information. Kaea was reunited with his family on Wednesday morning after his body had been taken to Palmerston North Hospital for an autopsy. His immediate family had a karakaia starting at 3pm. The doors to the family home are to be opened at 6pm 'for the masses' to start paying their respects. A family post online told attendees they would be 'asked to leave' if anyone was heard talking about the police investigation or the events leading to Kaea's death. Kaea's tangi will be held on Saturday. Full details about the funeral will be released on Thursday. Meanwhile, Napier Boys' High School has urged students or staff struggling with Kaea's tragic death to use the assistance available to them. 'We encourage any students or staff needing support to reach out to our guidance counsellors, deans, and trusted staff,' a message to the school community released by 'The Team at Napier Boys' High School' read. 'We are here to help you navigate this difficult time.' The message said 'our hearts at Napier Boys' High School remain with the whānau and friends of Kaea Karauria, whose passing has deeply saddened our community. 'We continue to offer our full support to all those who are grieving.' The school said that in the days after Kaea's death, it had 'heard from so many whose lives were touched' by the teen. 'A teacher shared, 'His passion for sport was like a superpower. Sport lit him up from the inside,' particularly evident in his excitement to represent NBHS in the U15s team last year. He embraced the opportunity to play alongside old friends and prove his talent. 'Beyond the sports field, Kaea was also a valued presence academically, described as 'quiet, respectful, and full of creativity and skill'. These glimpses into his passions highlight the well-rounded young man he was.' Kaea was found critically injured when police responded to a 111 call about a 'disorder event' in Onekawa about 3.10am on Sunday. He died at the scene despite the best efforts of ambulance crews. Another teenage boy was later found at another address with serious injuries. He was taken to hospital but later discharged. Advertise with NZME. As part of the investigation, police cordoned off two properties on Alexander Ave – one a driveway where plastic cones were placed alongside visible blood drops – and another on Dinwiddie Ave. Detective Inspector Martin James, Eastern district manager criminal investigations, has said police appreciated the information they had received so far; including anonymously and via an online portal set up for videos and photos of the altercation. 'We are speaking with a number of people as part of the investigation, but we urgently want to hear from anyone who was in the area, or anyone who took photos or video of the altercation on Dinwiddie Ave,' he said. 'A number of investigators are working to determine what occurred and why, and we urge anyone who can assist our inquiries to contact us as soon as possible.' >> Anyone with information is asked to make a report online or by calling 105, using the reference number 250511/1317. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
