Flaxmere community urged to attend karakia for slain man

KARAKIA: Moewaka Hinepare, kaumatua, is planning to hold a karakia. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

The tragic death of Flaxmere man Kelly Alex Donner this week has rocked the community.

The shock and sadness has spurred kaumatua Moewaka Hinepare to put a call out on social media for the community and whanau of the man who died to gather for a karakia this evening at 7pm.

"Come one, come all."

She was asking anyone to join in and bless the area, tonight at 7pm.

"We have got to bless this place. It has to be done for the benefit of the community and the benefit of the people."

The Flaxmere resident, who lives at Swansea Retirement Village, across the road from The Flax Bar and Eatery said they were like "sitting ducks".

"That is frightening for us because we are old. There are deaf people, blind people, people that can't walk and cannot talk so it is a heck of a concern".

Ms Hinepare said those in the community believed it was "eerie" and "very frightening".

"I am very sad to think that this has happened in Flaxmere and I am very, very sad for the victim and also for both families."

She said the community was appreciative of the work police were doing.