Family honours legacy of slain Ngāruawāhia woman Turipapa Tukere

The Tukere family is mourning the loss of a beloved whānau member, Turipapa Tukere, who died after a daylight brawl in Waikato.

Chalise Teira Barton-Barbarich can now be named as the man accused of murdering Tukere in Ngāruawāhia last year.

The 34-year-old made his second appearance at the High Court at Hamilton this week.

The Hamilton man pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Tukere and to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to an alleged second victim.

Tukere, 42, died of her injuries before she could be airlifted to Waikato Hospital.

She was one of four children of Percy and Rangimawae Tukere, a Waikato couple who gave great service to Tūrangawaewae Marae and its many events throughout the years.

The commitment of Turipapa Tukere to her family and culture was evident throughout her life, becoming a key figure in preparing the meat for hui and events at the marae.

Turipapa Tukere died after a daylight brawl in Waikato.

Whānau said Tukere “had a heart of gold, lived for her kids, loved her father to bits”, adding that they “grew up on the marae, went to Tūrangawaewae Kōhanga Reo”.

They said whānau felt pain about the way Tukere died and could still feel her spirit.

“Especially losing her the way that we did. It was quite tragic being at the marae not knowing who did this to her and going through the whole tangihanga still not knowing.

“She’s not at peace; she’s still floating around trying to figure out what happened to her. What a waste.”

‘She was absolutely 100% a pā girl’

Family spokeswoman Wynae Tukere says Tukere followed her parents into the lower part of the wharekai (dining hall) at Tūrangawaewae, affectionately known as “the dungeon”.

“During Koroneihana [the Kīngitanga’s coronation ceremony last year], she always came down to the dungeons. She carried on her mother and father’s legacy.”

Family spokeswoman Wynae (Ku) Tukere, pictured preparing tangihanga programmes. Photo / Maioha Panapa

“When we would say to her, ‘Come up and dress the plates with us cuz,’, she would go, ‘Nah, you fullas are all right’.”

Wynae Tukere said Turipapa Tukere was someone who many would gravitate to and had many friends who, to this day, host “Turipapa Fridays” at Taupiri Maunga.

“They usually host a few of them at the maunga, sharing stories and cheering drinks. But that’s their grieving process,“ Wynae Tukere said.

Turipapa Tukere’s legacy survives through her four children: Pomare, Rangimawae, Te Ingoa and Tuakana.

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