Matalupe Fuimaono welcomes her grandson Halatau. Photo / Dean Purcell
The family of teenager Halatau Naitoko - accidentally shot dead by police - have received $10,000 in early compensation but are still facing financial strain.
Halatau's mother, Ivoni Fuimaono, said her son's funeral had cost at least $12,200, for which the Government had paid $10,000 expenses.
The family's
courier business has not been operating since the tragedy last month. "I have kept all the receipts, but I am worried about how we will pay for everything," said Fuimaono.
The family still want to meet the police officer who accidentally shot their son on Auckland's Northwestern Motorway last month, at the height of a high-speed police chase involving an armed man.
"We want answers [from police], so do the rest of our family. He [the alleged offender] is in jail being fed three times a day but we have lost our son."
Although earlier media reports said the alleged offender, Stephen McDonald, had sent Halatau's family a letter, it in fact came from McDonald's wider family.
"There are no words that can ease the pain that you bear and you have all been constantly in our thoughts through this difficult time," says the letter, released to the Herald on Sunday.
"We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Your strength, dignity, courage and faith has humbled us as you have had to come to terms with the tragic death of your beautiful boy in front of the nation. We pray that for the difficult days ahead you will be comforted by the memories of Halatau's life and will find peace as you trust in the lord."
Fuimaono and Halatau's father, Kepueli Teputepu, said they felt for McDonald's parents. "I am sure they feel the grief that we do," he said.
Fuimaono said she was waiting to hear back from Police Minister Judith Collins.
Meanwhile, Halatau's family were to attend a blessing early today at the scene of his death.
"We all miss him. We go to the cemetery for half the day. I haven't taken [newborn son] Tau to see him yet because culturally and spiritually we have to wait for a month, but I am sure Halatau is here with us in our home looking over us," Fuimaono said.
