Hastings triple homicide: Oranga Tamariki says it had no involvement with family

The family at the centre of a triple homicide that has shocked Hastings was not involved with the children’s ministry Oranga Tamariki beforehand.

A homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Train, is underway after emergency services were called to a property on Avenue Rd East about 6am on Sunday.

There, police found a mother and two of her children, a 3-month-old-girl and a 17-month-old girl with stab wounds.

Detective Inspector Martin James said one person – understood to be a child – was found dead at the scene.

Two people were taken to hospital with critical injuries but later died.

James said a man who lived at the property was also taken to hospital and had surgery on Monday.

He said the victims were related and lived together at the house.

Police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths but no charges have yet been laid, James said.

James said close to 30 police officers were working on the homicide investigation.

Police forensic experts remained at the property this morning doing analysis, and cordons were still in place.

Oranga Tamariki East Coast regional commissioner Julie Tangaere told Hawke’s Bay Today the agency had “no involvement with the tamariki at this address”.

Avenue Rd East in Hastings remained closed on Tuesday morning. Photo / Jack Riddell

“Our thoughts are with all those affected,” Tangaere said.

Coroner Bruce Hesketh yesterday granted an interim non-publication order in relation to the names of the mother, her two children and the man.

Coroner Hesketh’s ruling said the mother and children died of stab wounds.

The coroner said police were yet to speak to the man, who also suffered stab wounds.

“He is currently unconscious and in Wellington Hospital.

“Police wish to speak to [the man] so he can assist with their inquiries. He is considered a person of interest.”

Flowers laid at the scene of a triple-homicide investigation in Hastings. Photo / Jack Riddell

Police also wanted to speak to extended family members, including the man and woman’s former partners, Hesketh’s ruling said.

Coroner Hesketh made the orders until May 4.

Flowers were being laid on Monday by the community as a team of officers worked on an ongoing scene examination around and in the duplex property.

A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said she had come down with a bouquet because the situation had “really hit home” when she learned it involved children.

A car is towed from a family home at the centre of a triple-homicide investigation in Hastings. Photo / Jack Riddell

A police tent had been erected at the property yesterday morning, and a blue hatchback in the driveway was removed.

Neighbours spoken to by Hawke’s Bay Today said they heard no noise from the home on Saturday night or Sunday morning, and the first they had heard of the homicides was when news articles began to appear late on Sunday morning.

They described the area as a generally quiet piece of suburban New Zealand.

Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum yesterday said losing two children, alongside their mother, was a “grief no family should ever have to carry”.

“Many people across Hastings will be feeling deeply shaken by this today, especially those closest to the family.

“When something like this happens, our community wraps around each other.

“That support will matter deeply in the days ahead.

“I know this will be deeply unsettling for people right across our community, especially those living nearby.

“Police have been clear that this was an isolated incident and that there is no wider risk to the public, and that reassurance will matter for many today.”

Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.