Forgiveness for school stabbing

Pacific Christian School in Mangere. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The family of an 11-year-old boy stabbed with a pair of classroom scissors have forgiven the child police believe was responsible for inflicting the life-threatening injury, a relative says.

In the first in-depth interview with a family member since the boy was rushed from Pacific Christian School, in Mangere Bridge, to Starship Hospital on Tuesday, the injured boy's uncle revealed his nephew was stabbed in the right temple.

However, doctors had told his parents there was a "good chance" he could wake from a coma this week, the uncle said.

The boy's long-term prognosis is not known. His uncle said all the family was thinking about was for the boy to "come out of that coma and get on with his young life".

"If he comes out of this I'll tell him 'God's giving you a second chance in life - go out and be that somebody'."

The stabbing shocked the country given the ages of those involved.

Police have almost finished interviewing classmates who witnessed the attack, which happened after the teacher left the classroom. Police said an 11-year-old boy believed responsible for the injury is in Child, Youth and Family care.

The injured boy's uncle said his nephew's parents had forgiven the other boy.

"We don't hold grudges, we remember the Lord's Prayer. That's how they feel."

The couple, who have three other children, have taken turns staying by their injured son's intensive care unit bed so he is never alone. While at his bedside they have prayed, and spoken lovingly to their son, the uncle said.

"It's like when you talk to a baby and they don't know what you're saying, but you just imagine they can hear you. They are reminiscing how precious life can be ... we pray and pray for that miracle.

"I think he's going to come right but it's going to take a long time. It might be like it is with [racing champion] Michael Schumacher."

His nephew is a "fun loving boy who loved life" - especially sports.

The schoolboy rugby player loved watching Warriors' stars Manu Vatuvei and Konrad Hurrell, and All Black captain Richie McCaw.

"He'd look at McCaw and say 'he's the man'."

New Zealand Association of Christian Schools Auckland co-ordinator Helen Pearson described the situation as 'every principal's worst nightmare'.

"Poor [Pacific Christian School principal] Lisita [Paongo] I feel for her," Pearson said.

"There are certainly a lot of troubled pupils around."