Beating victim 'gentle, kind, shy'

The family of Masterton man Koria Matiaha have spoken about the 'gentle, kind, shy' man who was 'always ready with a joke and a laugh'.
Koria, 25, died in Wellington Hospital on Sunday night after allegedly being beaten outside his home last Thursday.
Masterton women Diamond Orupe, 21, and Tewhairangi Biddle, 20, have been remanded in custody to June 22 after appearing in Masterton District Court on Monday facing joint charges of assaulting Mr Matiaha.
Neither women has entered pleas to the charges.
Police said they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the death and more charges are likely to be laid.
A family spokeswoman, who declined to be named, said yesterday the father of Orupe had endured a bedside vigil alongside Matiaha family members at Wellington Hospital where Mr Matiaha had emergency brain surgery on Friday.
"He was with the family in Wellington Hospital the whole time before Koria died on Sunday, sitting there for hours and hours. And the family's thoughts are with those girls (Orupe and Tewhairangi). Prayers have been said for them."
The woman said Koria, 25, attended East School, Hiona Intermediate and Makoura College with his mother Bella demanding a strict regime of study beyond the classroom throughout those years, making him a top academic achiever as a consequence.
"She put a lot of emphasis on education for all three of her children. I remember them completing homework over a couple of hours after school most days. Their home was almost like another school."
Koria, the youngest in his family after an older brother and sister, had been living with his parents Bella and Cyril "out of love for his mum and dad" to support the couple both financially and physically. His father is a returned serviceman whose health was affected during his military career.
She said Koria was an avid car enthusiast who had owned several vehicles and a man who shared a very close bond with his partner of three years.
"She is devastated right now he was very close to her and they just loved each other. He was a gentle, kind and loyal partner. She's a mess but she's been right there with Koria's mum and dad since Thursday," she said.
"Koria was pretty much someone who enjoyed life to the full and was always ready with a joke and a laugh. He was a giggler, who was very shy. He was not at all a violent guy and I believe everyone who knew him, respected him."
Mr Matiaha is to lie in state at the family home in Stuart Crescent until his burial at Riverside Cemetery tomorrow after a service to be held at the family home at 1pm.