Andrew Maaka’s mystery death: Police launch homicide investigation into decades-old cold case

Police have made a fresh plea for information about Auckland man Andrew Maaka, who is suspected to have been murdered after going missing in West Auckland in 1991.

Andrew Michael Maaka was 29 when he was last seen alive at the Head Hunters headquarters in Henderson after attending a Guy Fawkes party on November 5, 1991.

Speaking to media today outside the gang headquarters, Waitematā Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said there had been no credible sightings of Maaka in 35 years.

Investigators suspect foul play, and police are now treating the disappearance as a homicide, after previously treating it as a missing person case.

McNeill said Maaka stayed at the Head Hunters gang pad often and was closely associated with the group.

Reports by the Herald in 1995 that Maaka was a police informant were not confirmed by McNeill.

“There are people who know where he is”, McNeill said.

“It’s time for those with knowledge about his final resting place to come forward.”

Waitematā Detective Inspector Callum McNeill told media today that the case of missing Aucklander Andrew Maaka is being treated as a homicide. Photo / Dean Purcell

He said gang members had made the case “extremely difficult” because of their cone of silence, but that was typical of “outlaw gangs”.

“The No 1 rule for gangs is you don’t talk to the police.”

McNeill said the family had not had a chance to grieve.

“It’s been 35 years of no answers.”

Maaka was born in Kawakawa, the eldest of six siblings and a father of three.

He was described by whānau as “very affectionate” towards his siblings and family.

Andrew Maaka and one of his children. Photo / NZ Police

“His friends describe him as street-wise, always in a hurry, and that he wanted to make a few dollars but not always lawfully.

“In his family’s eyes, he was a good person.”

But Maaka was also described by some as a man who would become “volatile and confrontational”.

McNeill said a passage of time, gang silence and changes in technology all contributed to the information they did and did not have.

“[Whether] there is a person or persons involved, I can’t say.

“There’s always a few pieces of the jigsaw left.”

McNeill said he did not know whether Maaka left the gang headquarters dead or alive.

The investigation team is in contact with the whānau, who McNeill said also believed Maaka was dead.

“Police regularly receive information on a lot of missing persons cases, and nothing has been ruled out.”

There was no reward offered for information.

Police would like to thank people who have tried to help with the investigation.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact police online at 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105, using the reference number 920217/9553.