John Major Meihana jailed for drug-driving causing death of Philipa Ann Beech in Tararua district

Philipa Ann Beech was killed by a drugged driver in a road crash between Dannevirke and Woodville on June 13, 2025.

A man who lost his wife of 46 years in a road crash caused by a drug-using driver says his nights are now “unbearably lonely”.

“Every aspect of my daily life has changed because Philipa is no longer here,” Martin Beech told the Hastings District Court today.

Martin Beech was badly injured in the crash, which killed his wife, Philipa Ann Beech, 69, on State Highway 2 between Dannevirke and Woodville last June.

Initially, with his injuries and in shock, he believed he might have somehow been responsible for the crash that killed his wife.

He said the feeling that he might have been was “horrific”.

But the court was told that responsibility actually lay with John Major Mason, 42, who uses the surname Meihana.

Meihana had been driving north about 5pm on June 13 with both methamphetamine and a high level of cannabis in his system.

On a 100km/h section of the road, his utility vehicle crossed the centre line, struck a barrier and then careered into the path of the Beeches’ southbound vehicle.

Philipa Beech died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Meihana apologised to the Beech family from the dock, saying “I am very sorry”, shortly before he was sent to prison on separate charges of causing death and causing injury while under the influence of drugs.

He had admitted those charges earlier, along with dishonesty and charges for the possession of ammunition and cannabis for supply, which were dealt with at the same time.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh imposed a sentence of four years and 10.5 months in prison.

She also disqualified him from driving for four years from his parole eligibility date of July 21, 2028.

Meihana had described what had happened as a “tragic accident”, but Crown solicitor Steve Manning said he had deliberately used drugs and chosen to drive.

“What happened was tragic, but no accident,” the lawyer said.

Manning said Meihana had taken no steps towards rehabilitation during six months on bail, had kept using cannabis and had been caught driving in Havelock North in breach of his bail conditions.

But Meihana’s counsel, Lisa Grant, said he had now signed up for rehabilitation programmes in prison and accepted that he had an addiction problem.

He was remorseful and trying to do better, and had offered to help the Beech family in any way he could, including helping on their farm, shearing sheep.

Martin Beech suffered a shattered kneecap in the crash, as well as a broken sternum and 13 broken ribs.

He spent a week in hospital, then nine weeks in a leg brace, which he said was extremely uncomfortable.

In October, his injured knee gave out and he fell, causing injuries to his cheek, which required four stitches.

Beech detailed the physical hurt and financial losses he had suffered because of the crash, but said his “greatest loss was Philipa” – the woman with whom he had spent almost every moment for 46 years.

In a moment, he said, because of Meihana’s mistake, his best friend had been taken away and “my beautiful wife has gone”.

Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay. His writing in the crime and justice sphere is informed by four years of frontline experience as a probation officer.