The Hīkoi for Kaea, through Napier on Sunday. Hundreds gathered in the rain to commemorate the tragedy. Photos / Connull Lang
The Hīkoi for Kaea, through Napier on Sunday. Hundreds gathered in the rain to commemorate the tragedy. Photos / Connull Lang
More than 800 people braved the rain to walk through suburban Napier streets in a display of solidarity seeking an end to the type of street violence that killed 15-year-old Kaea Karauria three months ago.
There had still been no arrest related to the early morning killing on May 11- although a teenaged girl is charged with threatening a witness and a woman with wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The Hīkoi for Kaea community gathered at Pukemokimoki Marae on Sunday, a marae itself founded on a response to tragedy.
They then traipsed through Riverbend and Bledisloe roads, Darwin Cr, Lodge Rd, Wycliffe St, and Alexander and Dinwiddie avenues, for more than an hour and a half, including stopping in the area that Kaea died.
Chants supporting the kaupapa were led by Debol Savaii, who had moved from Wellington some years ago to get away from the impact of another tragedy on the streets.
15-year-old Kaea Karauria was killed near a party in Napier in May. Photo / Connull Lang
On the hīkoi were bereaved parents Kym Baker and Renata Karauria, who later told of how whānau and friends started the kaupapa from almost the moment they heard of their son’s death.
It was a “powerful” hīkoi to bring together the community to stand for a safer, stronger future,“ they said.
Renata Karauria said back at the marae, where supporters gathered afterwards to further the concept of a kotahitanga response, they didn’t want their son to be just another statistic.
“While our son Kaea was the catalyst for this kaupapa (program), this movement extends beyond his name,” they said.
“We walked not only for him but alongside other whānau who carry the mamae (hurt) of losing a loved one to violence.”
“We are all on this waka - sharing the burden of violence in our community, and we hope no other whānau have to suffer the same,” they said.
A crowd of close to 800 braved the rain.
“We want to send a clear message: bullies feed off fear and intimidation, and we no longer wish to remain silent while our children are targeted.
“Had someone chosen to act for our son, he might still be with us.
“Unruly violence like this must end,” they said.
The hīkoi retraced the steps of places that are deeply meaningful to the whānau story including the street where Kaea was taken and the site of their former family home.
“We are reclaiming these spaces that hold our precious memories, refusing to let violence steal them from us,” they said.
