On the morning of his 24th birthday, Fitzgerald "Fitz" Risati thanked his father for cooking him breakfast with a big hug - a display of affection that surprised but pleased his father, used to less-demonstrative behaviour from his son.
Less than 24 hours later, the young man was
dead, stabbed in what police have described as a frenzied but unprovoked attack in the eastern Porirua suburb of Cannons Creek early on Saturday morning.
His brother, Risati Risati jnr, 21, also stabbed in the attack, is now in a stable condition in Kenepuru Hospital and expected to make a full recovery.
His father, Risati Risati snr, is struggling to make sense of the tragedy. Mr Risati spoke at a press conference in Cannons Creek, supported by two family friends, including Kevin Schwalger, the father of All Black John Schwalger, and Porirua City councillor Litea Ah Hoi.
The trio spoke of a young man who enjoyed his life, who loved rugby and lived for his "army" of friends. He had been a good student at Bishop Viard College and a keen rugby player.
A quietly spoken man, Mr Risati fought back tears as he thanked the Porirua community for its support. His sons had grown up like "ordinary guys", going to school, spending time with their friends, who were of all colours and races.
He said he bore no ill will towards the people who killed his son.
"Things happen for a reason and I don't speak badly of the people that did it," he said.
"His death has really brought another sense of living for us and we'll look at life now in a different light."
A description of one of the offenders being sought has been released: a Maori or Pacific Island man, fat, with facial hair and long hair pulled back in a ponytail.
Police have arrested a 33-year-old man following an altercation earlier in the evening, and are looking at possible links between the incidents.
- NZPA
