Joshuah Tasi was a talented musician and a brother who loved and looked after his siblings, says a high school friend.
Tasi, 28, died after an altercation with two teenagers on Beach Haven Rd on Friday night and community leaders say his violent death has left residents in a state of shock.
Luke Liederman told the Herald that he met Tasi in their last year of school at Northcote College and that they bonded over music.
“Whenever we were together there was always a jam session happening,” said Liederman.
Tasi was a gifted singer and guitarist, said Liederman.
“He was just one of those people that you put any sort of instrument or song in front of him and he was always keen to give it a go and he was always good at it,” he said.
Liederman said he last saw Tasi in August last year and as if no time had passed, they picked up where they left off and had a jam session.
“It was like we hadn’t not seen each other for ages, it was like one of those things where you see your mate and you can just talk about everything like you guys hang out every single day.”
Liederman, who now lives in Taranaki, was in Auckland on the day Tasi was allegedly murdered.
He said he was having dinner with friends from Beach Haven when they received a text message from a family member notifying them of the road closure and police presence near the scene.
He said he didn’t realise Tasi was killed until police released the name.
“It didn’t feel real, it didn’t feel real at all. It still doesn’t feel real. Especially for it to happen to someone like him who was always happy-go-lucky, always positive, always making people laugh and smile,” said Liederman.
Leiderman said Tasi always spoke about how much he loved his siblings, and how much he wanted only the best for them.
“I send my love to the family, I can’t imagine what they are feeling to lose your son, and for his siblings to lose their brother, especially a brother that really looked after them.”
The alleged attackers, aged 14 and 17, were arrested in the Far North on Saturday and charged with murder.
It is believed Tasi was attacked inside his car around 7pm after a minor traffic accident between two cars led to an altercation. He suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck, chest and leg.
Neighbours and emergency services tried to save Tasi, but he died at the scene of the attack.
“Police extend our condolences to Joshuah’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time,” a police spokesperson said this afternoon.
“Joshuah’s family would like to thank all of the people who helped him and provided first aid at the scene.”
About 100 people gathered at Beach Haven Community House yesterday evening to mourn, before moving to the site of the attack for a karakia (prayer).
Residents lined one side of Beach Haven Rd while a small group prayed on the footpath on the other side, where flowers had been left.
Emi Suaniu, chair of the North Shore Pasefika Forum, told the Herald that Tasi was from a Samoan family.
“As a Samoan, when you know a Samoan is involved, you come together as a community to pay respect.”
She said church leaders at the ceremony were praying not only for the victim’s family but for the alleged attackers.
“We have to acknowledge them as well and uplift them in our prayers. What they did is wrong, but they can change into something good. That was a prayer for forgiveness.”