An Opotiki man found to be responsible for the death of 22-year-old Joe Collier during a gang brawl has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
Tamaikoha Ruameke Takao, 35, was sentenced in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a charge of manslaughter.
There was an increased police and security presence inside and outside the court.
Takao's lawyer, Roger Gowing, said his client wished to acknowledge the presence of Mr Collier's family and wanted to express his "remorse and understanding of the impact their loss has had".
Justice Murray Gilbert said Mr Collier and his associates were celebrating a 30th birthday on July 13 last year.
"As the celebrations continued, a young woman in the neighbouring house began to fear for her safety and the safety of her young child."
Justice Gilbert said Takao went to the address with the intention of escorting the young woman away but got involved in a fight when partygoers began provoking him and his associates with gang slurs.
It is understood there was tension between the two parties as they belonged to rival gangs, Mongrel Mob and Black Power.
"The incident quickly escalated into a serious, violent gang fight and when Takao saw other members of both parties had armed themselves, he picked up a bone-handled buck knife and a metal pole.
"When he saw one of his associates on the ground being attacked by a group of rival gang members, including Mr Collier, Takao rushed at Mr Collier, pushing him with the pole and inadvertently stabbing him in the chest.
"A few minutes later, an ambulance picked up the critically injured Mr Collier, who had collapsed in nearby King St. He was taken to Whakatane Hospital but died a short time later from the stab wound to the chest."
Justice Gilbert recounted some details of the 16 victim-impact statements submitted by Mr Collier's family.
He said all members of the family felt an "emptiness in their lives" after Mr Collier was "brutally taken from them".
Mr Collier's family members were visibly upset when Takao's sentence was read and abruptly left the courtroom, calling Takao a coward.