Editorial: Tears flow for little Matiu

Linda Hall

I had to wipe the tears from my eyes as I read Bernice Te Ahuru's words about her grandson Matiu Wereta.

Matiu was killed by his mother's boyfriend, Tamehana Huata, who was on Tuesday sentenced to seven and a half years' jail.

In my opinion that sentence should have been doubled. As it stands, even if he serves his full sentence, which I doubt very much, he will be just 26 when he is released.
He has the rest of his life in front of him. Whereas Matiu is gone forever and Mrs Te Ahuru will never get to hold her grandson again.

My heart broke for family of this little boy who died a horrible death thanks to a man invited into his home.

There are thousands of blended families these days and 99.9 per cent of stepfathers are loving and caring.

People like Huata do them no good.

However, it is up to the mothers and the biological fathers as well, to ensure anyone living in a house with their children is looking out for their child.

Especially children too young to tell their dad, mother, grandparent, uncle, aunty, cousin, neighbour or teacher that someone living in their house is hurting them.

Although Mrs Te Ahuru lived in Australia she visited her grandson on a regular basis and rushed back as soon as she heard he was hurt.

With just one look she says she knew Matiu's injuries were not from a fall as Huata claimed.

Mrs Te Ahuru says the lives of her whanau are shattered and the "life no longer feels ordinary".

She's right. Matiu died at the hands of someone who should have been caring for him.

His life is gone.