Latest news with #Onekawa
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
22-05-2025
- RNZ News
Police urge people to tell truth over Kaea Karauria's death
Kaea Karauria. Photo: Facebook / Simplicity Bereavement Services - Āniwaniwa Funerals Police investigating the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Napier are urging people to tell the truth about what happened on the night he died. Kaea Karauria was found critically injured 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. Detective Inspector Martin James said they have a team of 20 investigators working on the homicide case. "We have built a picture of what happened and are now drilling into the detail. We have covered off the route taken by Kaea on the night and a timeline of events. "We know some of the people we have spoken to may not have been truthful and we urge them to reconsider what they said and contact the team through 0800 852 525," said James. Kaea died after a party on Dinwiddie Avenue, and police are urging anyone with any information or footage of the party or a fight, to contact them. "We would like to thank those who have come forward with information and footage and encourage anyone who knows something to speak to the investigation team," said James. Footage can be uploaded via this link: Information can also be reported online, or by calling 105 and referencing the file number 250511/1317. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Kaea 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 Kaea 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
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.
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.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- RNZ News
Police name Kaea Karauria as teenager killed at Napier party
Kaea Karauria died in Onekawa during what police are calling a "violent disorder". Photo: Supplied The teenage boy who died after being stabbed at a Napier party on Sunday morning has been named as 15 year old Kaea Karauria. He died at about 3am on Sunday morning 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. His relative Jennifer Rei-Paku Hatton posted on social media about Kaea's death. "On behalf of our brother Ren Karauria and sister Kym Baker our nephews Ihaia and Manaia, and all our extended Karauria, Loughlin and Baker whānau we wish to extend our heartfelt thank you for all the aroha received over the last 24 hours as we navigate the tragic loss of a much loved Son Brother Moko Nephew Cousin and friend to many. "Thank you for your patience, as we prepare the family homestead for our boys return home to us We will keep you posted on specific details and when Kaea will be home hopefully within the next day or two," she said. Adding that the family wished for people to respect the mana of Kaea. "Be mindful of your words, gossip, videos, what your sharing out there and please check on our kids grieving a cousin, friend and a brother." If you know more contact A team of 20 police investigators are working to figure out what happened on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Police are appealing for anyone who had photos of videos of the party or the fight to get in touch. "We urgently want to hear from anyone who was in the area, or took photos or video of the altercation on Dinwiddie Avenue," said Detective Inspector Martin James. A neighbour, who did not want to be identified, told RNZ she woke on Sunday morning to the street in lockdown by police, and was told to stay put. The woman said they were thinking of moving houses before the incident, but now will definitely be leaving the area as they felt scared and unsafe. Another resident told RNZ they heard young people playing music and talking on Dinwiddie Avenue and Alexander Avenue late on Saturday night, and there were bottles on the road on Sunday morning. "We understand the fact someone so young has been killed is very unsettling for the community. We are providing support to the whanau of the victim and assure the community we are working hard to understand what happened and hold those responsible to account," James said.
