Tiepa-Ranapia killed in 'revenge mission': Crown

Takena Tiepa-Ranapia, 19, who died after being stabbed in the neck at a Mansfield St, Ohauiti, address on November 30, last year.

A young man, who died after being stabbed in Ohauiti last year, was killed during a "revenge mission", a jury in the High Court in Tauranga has been told.

Hiakita Hori Eruera, his wife Hyacin Eruera, and their associate Paul William Taki, are on trial charged with the murder of 19-year-old Takena Tiepa-Ranapia.

The court was told Mr Tiepa-Ranapia's body was found outside a house in Mansfield St, Ohauiti on November 30 last year, just a few doors away from where he was allegedly stabbed in the neck by Hiakita Eruera.

The three accused also denied charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with a weapon in relation to two other alleged attacks which happened earlier the same morning.

Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones told the jury that someone known to the Erueras was upset after attending a party on November 29 and complained of serious mistreatment by the alleged victims.

An enraged Eruera - intent on revenge - grabbed his Mongrel Mob vest and his wife drove him to the party, picking up Taki on the way, Mr Hollister-Jones said.

Brooklyn Orsmby-Ratahi and Ihareire "Guy" Wikeepa were walking on the footpath on Ohauiti Rd after leaving the party when the car carrying the three accused stopped beside them.

Taki hit Mr Wikeepa on the back of the head with a metal bar after he approached the car and Eruera stabbed Mr Ormsby-Ratahi, Mr Hollister Jones said.

Eruera's wife stayed in the car but encouraged her husband during the attack, yelling out: "Kill 'em babe", he said.

As they left, Eruera threatened the two men to keep quiet or "they would be killed".

The trio then continued on to the Mansfield St party address. Eruera entered the house wearing his Mongrel Mob vest. He brandished a knife at the occupier of the house.

Taki, holding the metal bar, stood in the doorway in support and, after a brief altercation inside, Eruera went looking for Mr Tiepa-Ranapia, he said.

The Crown says after Eruera located the deceased he stabbed him once on his left side of the neck which penetrated 10.5cm deep and nicked the jugular vein.

"There is no question this was a swift and purposeful attack," he said.

Mr Tiepa-Ranapia, bleeding profusely, walked about 300m before he collapsed and died outside a nearby address, he said.

Mr Hollister-Jones said Eruera's wife was charged as a party to the murder and the other two charges because she had actively encouraged her husband during his "revenge mission".

Taki is also charged as a party to the murder.

The trial, presided over by Justice Christian Whata, is expected to take three weeks.