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Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
'Immense talent': Slain teen remembered as quiet, respectful student
By Alexa Cook of RNZ - Kaea Karauria died at about 3am on Sunday in Onekawa during what police are calling a "violent disorder", and despite efforts by ambulance staff, he died at the scene - RNZ understands he was stabbed near where he was found on Alexander Avenue - Another teenager was injured on a nearby street but has since been discharged from hospital - Following a post-mortem, Karauria's body has been returned home to his whānau - A team of 20 police investigators is working on the case A 15-year-old boy who was killed in a fight in Napier is being 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... particularly evident in his excitement to represent NBHS in the U15's team last year. "He embraced the opportunity to play alongside old friends and prove his talent," they said. The school said 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," the post said, Napier Boys' is encouraging any students or staff who need support to reach out to their guidance counsellors, deans, and trusted staff. A relative of Karauria's posted on social media saying his body was at the whānau's home. "Our whānau will open the doors to share Kaea with you all from 3PM TODAY , the Uncles will be on the fence to make sure our whānau space is upheld until then," she said. A child of 'immense talent' Porritt School has also taken to social media to express their sadness and remember Karauria, who was a 'proud Porritt School old boy'. "We wish to express our condolences, and to send our love and support to the Karauria, Loughlin and Baker families at this incredibly sad time. "We as a kura have been deeply saddened to learn of Kaea's passing. We acknowledge that Kaea's loss will be felt across the rohe by many. The death of a such a young man, with so much to offer is very difficult to comprehend," it said. The school described him as a "child of immense talent". "We remember well, his kindness and regard for others. Kaea was a boy that was the pou herenga for his friendship group, the hitching post that bound others together. "His love for chasing an oval ball around a rugby field saw him named 'Player of the Tournament' as a rugby player in the school team that won the 2020 Spooner Shield," they said. His artistic ability was also noted. "He won a design competition when a revamp of our Pride Award was called for. He worked with a designer to update our Pride Award based on his winning entry. "We still hand out Kaea's Pride Award every week to a child from each learning space," Porrit School said. Adding that the school has added the kōwhaiwhai to the foot of the award to fully honour Karauria's initial design and his legacy. "We are grateful for this very visible taonga he has left for us as a kura," the school said.
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Napier homicide: Community rallies around family of Kaea Karauria, school award to honour slain teen
Today, a police forensics team and detectives continue to comb a property on Alexander Ave, as well as the cordoned-off driveway of a house next door. Plastic orange cones have been placed down the driveway highlighting blood droplets for crime scene photographers. Another nearby property on Dinwiddie Ave is also cordoned off by crime scene tape, with a lone police officer standing guard. As police hunt whoever is responsible for the tragic death, Alexander Ave residents spoke of their shock and offered their heartfelt support to Kaea's family. 'I am a mum, and I can't imagine the pain of being told on Mother's Day by police that your son is dead,' one woman told the Herald. 'Parents should never have to bury their children. It is just so sad. 'I wish the police all the best in finding who is responsible.' Another man, who said he had lived on Alexander Ave for more than a decade, said the death had sent shockwaves through the community. He didn't know Kaea's family but wanted them to know that locals felt for them as they grieved. 'It is just tragic,' he said. 'My heart goes out to the family of the young man. It is just so sad to think someone so young will go out to be with his friends and lose his life on a night out. 'I've talked to a few of my friends around this area since the weekend, everyone is just in shock it happened here.' Detective Inspector Martin James, Eastern district manager criminal investigations, said police were continuing to assess information from the public. A scene examination was expected to be finished by the end of Tuesday. Advertise with NZME. Despite police receiving a 'steady flow of information', no arrests had been made. The information, including some provided anonymously via an online portal and to Crime Stoppers, is being analysed by the police investigation team. 'We urge those who saw what occurred to come forward and speak to police,' James said. Karauria was critically injured when emergency services arrived at the scene. He lost his life at the Alexander Ave property despite the best efforts of ambulance crews. As the police hunt continues, tributes continue to flow for the teen who touched many hearts in his young life. Those include one from his former Napier school, Porritt Primary School. In a post on the school's Facebook page, principal Maaka Papuni said the school community was sending its 'love and support' to Kaea's family. 'We as a kura have been deeply saddened to learn of Kaea's passing,' Papuni wrote. 'We acknowledge that Kaea's loss will be felt across the rohe by many. The death of a such a young man, with so much to offer is very difficult to comprehend. 'Kaea was a child of immense talent. We remember well his kindness and regard for others. Kaea was a boy that was the pou herenga for his friendship group, the hitching post that bound others together.' Papuni wrote that Kaea's 'love' for rugby led to him being named player of the tournament when his school side won the Spooner Shield – an inter-primary school competition – in 2020. The school's staff and wider community are collecting a koha for Kaea's family. In a post that also included photos of Kaea while he attended Porritt Primary School, Papuni wrote how the youth's legacy would live on at the school through the Pride Award it hands out to a child from each class. 'Kaea's artistic ability was also well known. He won a design competition when a revamp of our Pride Award was called for. He worked with a designer to update our Pride Award based on his winning entry,' Papuni wrote. 'Today, we have added the kōwhaiwhai to the foot of this award to fully honour his initial design and his legacy. We are grateful for this very visible taonga he has left for us as a kura.' • 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.
