Kaytee Tahau murdered her cousin Saralee Moke and assaulted her own partner in April 2024 because she was jealous of the two. Photo / Denise Piper
Kaytee Tahau murdered her cousin Saralee Moke and assaulted her own partner in April 2024 because she was jealous of the two. Photo / Denise Piper
A Northland woman who murdered her cousin in an “alcohol-fuelled jealous, angry rage“ has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Kaytee Ngaire Tahau, 48, of Kaitāia, previously admitted murdering Saralee Moke and assaulting her then partner, Renee Bevan, with a weapon.
The incidents occurred on the night of April 3 andthe early hours of April 4, 2024, at Houhora Heads Holiday Park, where Tahau worked as a cleaner and was living at the time.
The ongoing fight between Tahau and the two victims broke out because she was jealous, accusing the two women of “having a thing” for each other.
Justice Andrew Becroft took the time to acknowledge the loss of life, saying Moke’s death was a loss for her family and the entire community.
“Saralee’s daughter is outraged that you chose violence and, in a jealous rage, killed her mother, with that killing certain to reverberate throughout the generations,” he told Tahau.
The incident also traumatised Bevan, not only from the violence she suffered but from witnessing Moke’s death, Justice Becroft said.
“My words can’t possibly explain the depth of the damage you have caused,” he said to Tahau.
Kaytee Tahau was working as a cleaner at Houhora Heads Holiday Park when she murdered her cousin, who was visiting her. Photo / Denise Piper
“But you’ve heard and read, and you must know – in that moment of alcohol-fuelled, jealous, angry rage – what you have done.”
Tahau sat in the dock still and emotionless during the sentencing.
Precious mother, daughter, nan stolen from family
Moke’s daughter Billie Moke, in her victim impact statement read to the court, called Tahau a monster.
“I’m furious at you for killing my mum in a violent rage. You have stolen from us – taken away a mother, daughter, nan and left our family shattered.”
Billie Moke said she wanted to speak not only on behalf of her brothers and children but also the generations to come, who would never get to know their nan.
“This loss has left a hole in our hearts that no one will ever fill,” she said.
“I’ve watched my family suffer in ways that I never thought possible ... I’ve seen grown men reduced to tears because of this loss.”
Victim stabbed in abdomen and through her arm
The court heard how in the days leading up to the incident, Tahau was violent towards Bevan, accusing her partner of “having a thing” for Moke.
That afternoon, all three had some drinks and became intoxicated.
Tahau became angry when she found out Bevan had gone to Moke’s caravan for some drinks while Tahau was sleeping in her cabin.
She began fighting with her cousin, including biting her in the chest and hitting her over the head with a mug.
Tahau left the cabin and returned about 15 minutes later, asking for her keys and phone. Another fight broke out, and she hit Moke over the head with a mirror.
Tahau then left the cabin, walking towards the caravan, which was about 70m away. Bevan followed and, when they argued, Tahau hit her over the head with the broken mirror.
Tahau then went into the caravan and threw out her partner’s belongings, ripping up photos of the pair of them.
Moke came to console Bevan, and a physical fight again broke out between the two cousins, this time outside the caravan. Both women punched each other and pulled each other’s hair.
When the fighting stopped, Tahau went into the caravan and grabbed a 30cm kitchen knife, which she later described as a butcher’s knife.
She first approached Bevan, who ran away. When a scuffle again erupted between Tahau and Moke, Moke was stabbed once in the abdomen and once through her arm and into her chest.
Houhora Heads is an idyllic holiday spot at the top of the Far North. Photo / Denise Piper
Emergency services were unable to resuscitate Moke, and she was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple stab wounds.
Justice Becroft said there were four aggravating factors in the murder: the fact that a large butcher’s knife was used, given its potential for serious injury; the fact Moke was stabbed twice; the premeditation in Tahau deliberately arming herself; and the extent of loss suffered by Moke’s family.
The assault against Bevan was aggravated by the fact that she had a protection order out against Tahau, and by a weapon being used on her head.
Justice Becroft gave a discount for Tahau’s guilty plea.
He also gave a discount for Tahau’s background, which she described as like being in the film Once Were Warriors: being exposed to violence and alcohol from a young age.
Justice Becroft said a minimum non-parole period of 11 years was appropriate, but explained to Moke’s family present in court that Tahau would only be released on agreement of the Parole Board and would be on life-long parole.
He thanked the family for their respect while listening to the sentencing.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
