May 16, 2023
Karakia and kōrero as Ruakākā reacts to murder
Residents in Ruakākā are meeting this afternoon after the killing yesterday of two children under five years old.
Neighbour Phil Paikea says the meeting at the Ruakākā Men’s Centre is a chance to karakia, waiata and kōrero as a community about how to prevent such incidents happening.
He says a kaumatua was on hand at the house to say karakia when the bodies of the children were removed, while he was at the Edge Care early childhood centre consoling staff who taught one of the tamariki.
He says it’s a shock to the community in the small Northland beachside town, which is normally a safe place to bring up children.
Police say a 25-year-old woman had been charged with murder.